10 Places Where to Swim in Southern Illinois

Are you trying to find out where to swim in Southern Illinois?

It’s after Memorial Day, so all the swimming opportunities are now open. But where to go? That’s the question.

There are beaches.

There are pools.

There are even a few swimming holes.

We all have different preferences. I like creeks that I can wade in, but you might want a clear and clean swimming pool.

In this guide, I’ll show you 10 different places to swim in Southern Illinois, plus where to eat and what else to do around the area!

Safety Information About Where to Swim in Southern Illinois

Safety is of the utmost importance for this guide.

Many of these spots do not offer a lifeguard service. This means that no one is being paid to watch for those who might be having problems in the water.

Please make sure you know how to swim before visiting these places. Please make sure you watch your friends, family, and children if they’re using these places.

Keep in mind that many of these areas don’t have phone signals, so seeking assistance in an emergency could be difficult.

Make sure you put safety first when deciding where to swim in Southern Illinois.

List of Places Where to Swim in Southern Illinois

Okay, now that we have addressed the safety aspects of where to swim in Southern Illinois, we can get on with the list of these 10 great places.

1 – Lake Glendale Beach

Lake Glendale Beach is a great place to go for a swim on a hot day in Southern Illinois.

The beach is open Monday – Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Ages 6 and up=$5.00; Ages 1-5yrs.=$3.00; Under 1 year old are free. Concessions are available.

Check out my free online guide for Lake Glendale to get directions and other information for the beach.

Nearby dining options include Shotgun Eddy’s in Eddyville, multiple restaurants in Metropolis, and Golconda. Lake Glendale offers nearly 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, kayaking, and camping.

2 – Pounds Hollow Beach

Pounds Hollow Beach is a great place to swim if you don’t want to spend any money.

Pounds Hollow Beach is free at the moment, but a fee is being considered to keep it maintained. The beach is open from dusk until dawn.

Check out my free online guide for directions and other information for Pounds Hollow Beach and Campground.

The Gap Bar and Grill and Cave-in-Rock Lodge are great places to eat nearby. You can also enjoy hiking at Rim Rock and Garden of the Gods.

3 – Rend Lake Beach

Rend Lake Beach (South Sandusky) is a very large and popular beach along Rend Lake in Southern Illinois.

Parking is $5 a day or $20 for commercial vehicles. A shower house is available at this beach, which is for day use only.

Check out this Google Maps Link for directions to this beach.

Numerous restaurants are available in nearby Benton. Rend Lake also offers biking, mountain biking, hiking, boating, and camping.

4 – Cedar Lake Beach

Cedar Lake Beach (Poplar Camp Beach) is a great beach to enjoy in Southern Illinois near Carbondale.

This beach is open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM for seven days a week. Single-day admission is $2.50. The beach is open through Labor Day Weekend.

For directions and information about this beach and Cedar Lake, see the Cedar Lake Official Website.

Carbondale has many great places to dine when visiting this beach. There are also great hiking trails around the Shawnee National Forest portion of Cedar Lake.

5 – Dixon Springs Pool

Enjoy clean water at Dixon Spring State Park Swimming Pool this summer in Southern Illinois.

This pool is open from Memorial Day to usually around August. It is open in the morning to late afternoon and costs $5 a swimmer. There is a shower facility and concessions available.

Check out my free online guide for Dixon Spring State Park for directions and other information about this pool.

Enjoy the Chocolate Factory across the street from the park, or head into Golconda for a bite to eat. The park also offers hiking, mountain biking, and camping opportunities.

6 – Metropolis Pool

Enjoy a swim at the pool in the hometown of Superman himself at Metropolis Public Swimming Pool.

The pool is open from May 27 to August 10. The pool is open 7 days a week. Admission is $1.50 a person.

Check out the official website of the Metropolis Swimming Pool for directions and more information.

The City of Metropolis has many great restaurants and a few great sweet shops. Fort Massac State Park is a great place for hiking, biking, sightseeing, and camping.

7 – Marion Pool

Marion Pool is a great swimming pool opportunity and experience located in the City of Marion.

The pool is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and admission is $5 per person.

Please see the Official Marion Pool Website for directions and other information about visiting.

Marion has many great restaurants and dining opportunities with its community. Head over to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge for hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities.

8 – Bell Smith Springs

If you don’t mind jumping into a cold spring, then Bell Smith Springs is where you might want to head.

Bell Smith Springs is for day use only. It is not an official swimming area—use it at your own risk. At this time, there is no cost to enter.

Check out my free online ultimate guide to Bell Smith Springs for directions and other information.

Head over to Shotgun Eddy’s for great food in the area. Enjoy hiking at Burden Falls, Jackson Falls, and Sand Cave.

9 – Kinkaid Spillway

Kinkaid Spillway is another great area to enjoy some cool water on a hot day in Southern Illinois.

Kinkaid Spillway is for day use only. It is not an official swimming area – use it at your own risk. At this time, there is no cost to enter.

Check out this Google Maps Link for directions to Kinkaid Spillway.

Head to Murphysboro for some great restaurants. You can also enjoy hiking around Kinkaid Lake and visiting the Little Grand Canyon nearby.

10 – Hutchins Creek South

Hutchins Creek South is a great place to go for a secluded wading and swimming hole experience in the Shawnee National Forest.

Hutchins Creek South is for day use only. It is not an official swimming area – use it at your own risk. At this time, there is no cost to enter this area.

Check out this Google Maps Link to get to this area.

Head into Anna for great dining opportunities in the area. Visit Trail of Tears State Forest for hiking and camping opportunities.

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