Belmont Harbor Chicago Open Water Swimming

This listing covers the swim sites outside the harbor itself: Belmont Rocks region south of the Belmont Harbor entrance (where the namesake rocks can be seen) down to the natural end of the swim zone at the Diversey Harbor entrance, as well as the area north up to Montrose Harbor. In both cases, the swimming area is bounded by the respective harbor entrances. Belmont Rocks area along the seawall offers about 1000 yards (~0.9km) one way. Belmont North offers very similar conditions and 3 advantages: a longer swim of about a mile (1.6K) along the seawall one-way, less traffic (cars, bikes) in the surrounding area away from Lakeshore Drive/Trail, and a spectacular reveal of the skyline rounding the curve coming south approaching Belmont Harbor entrance. In all cases, the numerous ladder entrances are recommended to avoid misjudging depths to the submerged breakwater rocks along the wall. These and the obvious hazard of the wall also keep watercraft well away, though jet ski traffic can be high enough in summer afternoons to merit extra caution, and high vis swim buoy (tow float) is always recommended. In the morning of most days you will have the place to yourself.

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Swimming inside Belmont Harbor is not recommended.