SEPTEMBER 20: Administration Office Closed - Our Administration Office at Village Hall will be closed starting at 1:30 pm through the remainder of the day, 9/20.
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WAYS TO PLAY
Sailing Beach, Vessel Rentals & Permits
North Entrance
Lake Ave & Michigan Ave
South Entrance
Sheridan Rd & Michigan Ave
Langdon Beach
Chestnut Ave & Sheridan Rd
POINT OF CONTACT
Megan White
Lakefront Operations Supervisor
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Niki Koclanes
Lakefront Program Supervisor
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Ben Wozney
Lakefront General Manager
PHONE NO.
Season: Sailing season begins May 6 and ends October 15
Hours
- May 6-26: Hours TBD
- May 27 through September 4: 8 am-8 pm
- September 5 through October 15
Vessel-Specific Waitlists
Would you like to keep your boat on the Sailing Beach? All spaces on the Wilmette Sailing Beach are currently filled. Click Here
to add yourself to the vessel waitlist of your choosing. Waitlist vessel types are: stand up paddleboard (SUP); windsurfer; monohull (which includes kayaks); sunfish and lasers/laser II; and catamaran.
to add yourself to the vessel waitlist of your choosing. Waitlist vessel types are: stand up paddleboard (SUP); windsurfer; monohull (which includes kayaks); sunfish and lasers/laser II; and catamaran. Vessel Waitlist Self-Check
To see your status on the Sailing Beach waitlist, Click Here
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Boat Rentals
Rental boats are only available on Saturdays and Sundays from June 3 through August 13.
Rental blocks begin at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm.
Rentals can be reserved no more than a week in advance of the date of use.
Staff is on hand to help visitors evaluate their skills and to assess weather conditions. For safety, staff reserves
the right to refuse rentals at any time.
Click Here to search available time slots for the upcoming week!
Kayak & Sup
90-minute rentals
- Stand Up Paddleboard or Single Kayak R-$56 / NR-$70
- Double Kayak R-$83 / NR-$104
Hobie & Sunfish
60-minute rentals
- Sunfish R-$58 / NR-$64
- Hobie Wave R-$81 / NR-$91
- Hobie Getaway R-$95 / NR-$105
Rental Regulations
- Anyone who is looking to rent a vessel must be 18 years of age or older.
- Parking is not included in the rental price.
- 2 individuals per vessel are granted access into the sailing area for the rental time only.
All of our lessons for the 2023 season are full. Check back next year!
- No swimming or wading allowed at the Sailing Beach.
- ID cards are required for access to the Sailing Beach.
- No dogs allowed on the Sailing Beach.
- The sailing road is for pickup/dropoff only. Vehicles must park in designated parking areas outside the Sailing Beach gate.
- Glass bottles, alcohol, portable grills, tents, canopies, tables, or E-Z Ups are not allowed at the Sailing Beach.
- DNR registration is required for all sailing vessels, i.e. Catamarans, Lasers, Sunfish.
How do I get a membership to the sailing beach?
You must get on the waiting list for your preferred vessel. All vessels have a waiting list at this time.
Can I bring food and drink onto the sailing beach?
Yes, you are allowed to bring food. Glass containers or bottles are not allowed and alcohol is prohibited.
Can I get on the water if I don't have a sailing membership?
Gillson beach offers private lessons and boat rentals on the weekend for both residents and non-residents, call our sailing office for more info.
Can I bring my SUP or kayak and use it at Gillson beach?
A trail-in season permit is required for all self-launch vessels at Gillson beach and are limited to SUP, kayak, canoe and windsurfer. Trail-in permits allow for launch on south beach and in the cove and does not give you access to the sailing beach. View the next tab, SUP & Kayak Trail-In Permits, to learn more.
Details about Trail-in Permits
- Kayaks and stand up paddleboards are the only vessels able to be launched at Gillson Park.
- Trail-in launches are permitted every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Launch and land area is on South Beach north of the pier. Vessels may not land and exit on the sailing beach at any time.
- Vessels are not to operate near or enter the swim area.
- Lifejackets are required and patrons must follow all Coast Guard regulations.
- Permit stickers must be affixed to vessels.
- One Trail-in permit sticker per vessel, permit stickers are not transferrable.
- Only season Trail-in permits are available. No daily passes are available.
- Trail-In fee includes vessel sticker and season parking pass.
How to Purchase
Season trail-in permits can be purchased online here and picked up in person at the Gillson Beach House
starting May 27.
- Beach House Hours: 7 days a week 9 am-6 pm
- Address: 101 Lake Ave Wilmette, IL 60091
Trail-In Permit Fees
- $248 for residents
- $441 for non-residents
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