Great Lake Plunge 2026 — Evanston, IL

Date
July 26, 2026
Location
Evanston, IL
Venue
Dempster St Beach, Evanston
Start Time
7:00 AM
Entry Fee
$50.00 – $110.00
Events
4K Wetsuit, 4K Non-Wetsuit, 2K Wetsuit, 2K Non-Wetsuit, 1K Wetsuit, 1K Non-Wetsuit
View RegistrationOfficial Race Website

Registration for the Great Lake Plunge runs between $50 and $110, with distances of 1K, 2K, and 4K swim options. The event takes place July 26, 2026, at Dempster St Beach in Evanston, Illinois, with races starting at 7:00 AM. Swimmers can choose their distance based on experience and goals, making it accessible for various ability levels within the open-water swimming community. The early morning start means athletes should plan accommodation close enough to arrive with time for pre-race preparation and logistics.

From the Race Organizer
The Great Lake Plunge is Evanston's only open water swimming event. The swim consists of three events: 4K, 2K, 1K. This is a not-for-profit event which provides grants to support local water safety training and awareness This is a unique, family friendly event that will leave an impression for years to come. Visit our website for detailed information. The racecourse is a 1K GPS buoyed rectangle. Swimmers will start at the southwest corner and be directed clockwise, first heading northwest, then turning northeast before returning southeast and finally southwest, back to the starting area. Buoys will be placed at the corners and halfway points. The 1K swimmers swim 1 loop, 2K swimmers 2 loops, and 4K swimmers 4 loops.

Hotels Near This Race

Find accommodation close to the start line in Evanston, IL. Sorted by distance from the race venue. Book early — race weekend hotels fill fast.

RaceHotelFinder earns a small commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Results are sorted by distance from the race venue.

Great Lake Plunge 2026 — Evanston, IL

Race day is approaching. Hotels fill up fast.

--Days
:
--Hours
:
--Mins
:
--Secs
Book a hotel for race weekend

Race weekend dates pre-loaded on Booking.com. RaceHotelFinder may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Race Travel Insurance

Don't forget travel insurance for July 26.

You've trained for months and booked a trip to Evanston, IL. A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing. Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it, and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run 5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no additional coverage needed.

  • Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
  • Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
  • Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
  • Emergency medical up to $250,000
  • Cancel For Any Reason add-on available
  • 24/7 real-time support
Get a Quote — Faye Travel Insurance

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Coverage terms vary by state and plan. Review policy details before purchase.

More Races

Browse all upcoming races in Illinois →

More Swimming events with hotel options →

Other upcoming races in Illinois

St Jude Eureka Kids Run 2026 — Eureka, ILEureka, ILJul 30, 2026From $$15.00
Find Hotels →
Tunnel to Towers National Golf Series Golf of America Freedom Golf Classic 2026 — Waterloo, ILWaterloo, ILJul 30, 2026From $$0.00
Find Hotels →
Wildcats Picnic 2026 — Loves Park, ILLoves Park, ILJul 30, 2026From $$0.00
Find Hotels →
Run Mahomet 2026 — Mahomet, ILMahomet, ILJul 31, 2026From $$15.00
Find Hotels →

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Great Lake Plunge 2026 — Evanston, IL?

Great Lake Plunge 2026 — Evanston, IL takes place on July 26, 2026. The race is held in Evanston, Illinois.

Where is Great Lake Plunge 2026 — Evanston, IL held?

Great Lake Plunge 2026 — Evanston, IL is held at Dempster St Beach, Evanston in Evanston, Illinois.

Where can I find hotels near Great Lake Plunge 2026 — Evanston, IL?

RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Evanston. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.