If you're local it's awesome , if you're an out of towner like me you have to pay to park then pay to get in which sucks

What an amazing place! How did I not ever know about this? It is free for entrance otherwise it's a five dollar visitor fee. If you wish to go to the main beach, that's an additional $12 if you are not a resident of Crystal Lake. The grounds are immaculate, very well maintained, and the bathrooms are clean. There are two lakes, multiple pavilions that you can rent ahead of time. Lots of picnic tables for you to sit down. Near the bar and grill while you can't go in the water, you can take your drink and sit on one of the cheers on the beach. You can watch people practice on their WaveRunner. Swing on the swings at the bar and listen to great music. I did not have any food here. I did have an amazing Mojito. The bartender was a young man looking to join the Barrington police force. Polite, kind and also had great customer service skills. The reason why I didn't give it five stars is that there are absolutely no markings anywhere as to what trail you are on, how long of a trail it is, and where there may be porta potties. There aren't any maps or QR codes and it was a bit confusing as I came upon several wise and the trail to decide which way to go as I had limited time there. Given the fact that everything is so nicely taken care of I don't know how they can't have at least some markings on the trails that they have there. One of the workers sent me direction and it literally just took me to a pavilion. They have kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards. They also offer lessons for SUP depending on the day. Lots of people fishing. Amazing Place! Please add signage for the trails! The pop and water machine near the beach entrance did not work. Hopefully those are checked daily to repair. read more

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First time here, and came with our 3 year old. Boy oh boy did we have fun! Beach was beautiful. Very clean, everyone there was respectful and our son had fun playing with some other kids. Water... cold. Expected. Lol. But nothing you wouldn't get used too. Typical "pool / beach" food is available. Not the cheapest... so be ready, lol. But all is okay. Haha. There is feet washing stations and a really nice playground! We had an absolute blast and will absolutely be back!!! read more

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Beautiful local park, who would think that there is such a nice park a half mile from busy Northwest Hwy? The beach area and splash pad area were clean and safe, It would be worth coming back with granddaughters that enjoyed the beach and for the SUPs and kayaks read more

Nice beach with good concessions and friendly employees. $10 each to get in if you aren't a resident of Crystal lake $6 for kids!

I wish I could give two different reviews, one for the park, and one for some of the staff. The park is definitely a 5 star, but the staffing has gone downhill in the last 5 years. I'd like to add that the majority of the staff were ok, and some were downright amazing. Unfortunately, all it takes is a handful of bad apples to spoil it for everyone. This is especially true when the bad staff members are in higher positions. I saw park visitors being treated like they were beneath the staff who were talking to them. It was awful to watch! It was so clear that they were talking down to these visitors. For their part, the visitors were doing their best to be kind and respectful but this only seemed to make the staff member more condescending. One final note, Pete and the head guy, Paul, were awesome! read more

Great Fishing for once it opened from my wheelchair I could go with my dad back then for years where my 1st time there shortly and mI caught 5 great bass/ 3 were smallmouth that averaged out at 2 3/4 lbs each & largemouth were about the same my first time which in my wheelchair with my 70 year old dad for like 5 years until this year I must get back for my Dad wants us to have fun again and now anyone fish in a powered wheelchair there? I may have to be pushed since my arms now have spinal cord injury back in 1995 just legs now affecting my one arm's hand bit numb but I just try casting first which before my left arm wasn't bothering me and neither did hand. So anyone get back if places around the old trail in gravel at first 5 years where with either parent I could get up to shore but its been 5 more years without fishing since until I hope for this week when what the weather is not too hot then evenings I've done well and morning's as well. Unless out in a row boat with a trolling motor only ones they have that was after I saw two others on each side of me about 20 feet away and heard prior to my first cast, these 2 guys were from The Crystal Lake Anglers Club, saying this was all hype and within 30 minutes is when I caught those 5 bass while they were skunked and complained too much. I've caught pike too at 29.5 inches long but it had been eating plenty of panfish since these fish here are bigger and now I read more

Much to do here!! Went canoeing‍Wed & back Thur, but this time paddle boating & to the beachthen the water park & back to the beach!! My kids LoVe it & it's not too far; 45min drive!! Wkdays is way better to go, as I'm not keen w/big crowds!! There's also water skiing w/jumps‍& etc!! read more

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Cute hidden gem in Crystal Lake. There is a cable quarry for wake boarding, paddle boarding, fishing, a splash pad/play ground, and beach area. So a little something for everyone. There are picnic shelters available, walking trails, and boat rentals available as well. There is an admission fee for non residents to get onto the beach- $10/adult and. $4/ child 4 and up. There is also a $5 car fee. It's not a tropical getaway but it works if you want to lay out in the sand, under the sun, and get in some vitamin D. read more

Great place for: - Stand up paddle boarding (Sup, SUP?!) - Beaching - Swimming - Kayaking/canoing - Fishing - SCUBA diving (Yes, SCUBA!) Free for Crystal Lake residents, there is a charge for rentals and for non-residents. And although I won't SCUBA, I really haven't seen anything like this- an area dedicated to SCUBA in a Midwest rec area. Top notch activity area in the summer! read more

Great place to have a party, rent a pavilion, you won't be disappointed! Fish, swim, boat, water board, and soak in the beauty!

Beautiful place to go with your family for a boat ride, picnic, swimming, or hiking! I'm so lucky to live 5 minutes away!

Three Oaks is FABULOUS!!! Crystal Lake has done an AMAZING job on this place. You can tell they have clearly sunk some money into making this a true attraction. And I think they'll see a return on investment. It's very family oriented and is going to be a place that creates great memories for all. I grew up around here, but now live about 45 minutes away. I've driven by these quarries for 20-some years and it's nice to see them put to good use! It's so much more than just a beach! - Beautiful beach area in clean water. Fun swim platform. I think (?) I saw life-guards but i wasn't actually at the beach - Pavilions to rent with BBQ grills and picnic tables - Lots of green space for your lawn chairs, Baggo games (corn-hole, whatever), blankets, dogs, etc.. Did you hear that?! Bring your dog!! - Marina to rent fishing boats, miniature pontoon boats, kayaks, Stand-Up paddle boards, - Special area in the lake for Scuba diving practice - Brand-new separate lake with an out-of-this-world mechanical wakeboarding setup (opening June 2016). I've never seen anything like this. People will be coming from all around for this thing. - Concessions - Restaurant (opening June 2016) This was our first time here (Memorial Day) and we came to fish. We opted to rent a 14-foot fishing boat with trolling motor & fish-finder. We were also able to purchase fishing licenses here which is a really nice convenience! Now... here was my only issue of the day: we pulled into the main entrance and there was people working the gate where you pay to park and there were like 3 extra people just standing around doing nothing. But then when we got to the Marina to rent our boat, there was a fairly short line, but our transaction took AT LEAST a half-hour. There was only two people working the windows, sometimes one of them would walk away, and then they were also having to field phone calls which would stop my transaction and I had to wait while they helped people on the phone.... hence adding up to why my whole transaction took so long. So you've got three extra people standing at the Main Entrance doing NOTHING. And then you've got these two poor kids trying to run the Marina and they can't keep up with anything. There definitely should've been extra staff INSIDE the Marina helping, and also someone else specifically taking the phone calls. It was complete CHAOS. Now, while the girl helping could tell I was getting really frustrated - she was also very nice. I felt bad for her because she was doing her best to keep everyone happy. She was overwhelmed, which is NOT her fault. There should've been a Manager onsite figuring out the issues and resolving them. Once we got out of the marina and to the water: - The guys on the dock were helpful in explaining the boat/motor, helped me get into the boat, and gave tips on fishing locations. - Once out on the water it was so peaceful. It's so much larger than I realized, & the water is SO clear! Pretty shallow all around (deepest section 40 ft. Mostly 10-24). 4 hours out on the water and not one fish caught (i did catch a Bass, but as soon as i got him to the boat and out of the water he flopped right off my line). We could SEE the Bass and even a couple Pike sitting on the bottom, but they were just not interested in our bait. Unfortunately we forgot weights... so we were doing the best with what we had. Next time, we'll be back with better bait options. - Not sure if it's year round or just this time of season but there was a LOT of Lake bugs, they were really annoying. Good news: they seemed to be contained to the main shoreline, mostly on the Western wooded area. Open water/islands seemed much better. and nearly none by beach/marina. Make this place one of your next go-to places for a fun family day!! Definitely worth it. More communities should make places like this read more

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Wait a minute...this place opened in 2010 & I just now discovered them quite by accident?? I am sad I have missed 6 years of enjoying their facilities but better late than never! It's a HUGE flooded quarry that Crystal Lake cleared put a bunch of money & thoughtful planning in to create an amazing recreational facility! For non-residents the fees are currently $5 to park and then $10 per adult for the swim beach (half-price swim admission after 4pm). I'm not sure on the pricing for the other activities but you can check their website for details. The facility has separate areas for a variety of activities: -nice beach area manned by several lifeguards (7 of them when we were there on a Tuesday) & there is a deeper water swim area complete with a dive pier just beyond the regular swim area -splash/sprinkler area & playground for the little ones -decent locker/shower rooms along with at least one outdoor shower spigot for washing the sand off -concession stand in the beach area run by Culvers & some picnic tables/seating nearby (though I think they could use more covered tables/seating based on how popular this place is) -Boat rentals of all kinds: paddleboat, canoe, fishing boat and both electric OR paddle-style pontoon boats -Paddle-surfing rentals...is that what it is called? I forget...but it's that thing where you stand on a surfboard and paddle around on the water...they were giving lessons the day we were there and we saw several people doing out around the small islands in the quarry -Fishing areas -3 beach volleyball courts -BIG sledding hill for in the Winter -I believe they have a building you can rent out for parties as well and they have several larger covered picnic shelters you can reserve for bigger groups/picnics with BBQ grills as well -And the coolest thing of all was the huge area they had separate for water-skiing complete with jumps using this neat overhead cable/pulley system to pull the water-skiers along. Amazing! We'd never seen anything like it and spent at least 30 minutes just watching folks using this area. This area even has a small section for beginners to learn. read more

Fun spot to chill on the lake. You get to choose between a kayak, canoe or paddle board. The prices were reasonable although I think it'd be more fair if each additional hour was discounted rather than the same rate as the first hour. For the pilots out there or kids, the lake is right next to Lake in The Hills Airport so you'll see small planes flying around. Don't listen to Cheryl aka Karen complaining a few reviews before mine read more

It's a very nice place to go with a family as there are lots of water fun! If you like 'fishing' and not 'catching', please note this water is super clear so that means you can make eye contact with your dream fish while they side eye and laugh at your lure, give you the fish finger, and off they go! I saw it myself! read more

They are infested with blister Beatles and not tell ing anyone.My wife,daughter and grandson were there today.went in the water and came out loaded with the beatles. read more

How did I not know about this place before? Beautiful Rec area, nice sand beach and fresh and clear water. Parking is only $5/car (free for Crystal Lake residents), but it will cost you $10/person to get on the beach & $20/person to scuba dive. We went to tune up our scuba skills a few weeks ago, our first visit and we will definitely be back. So close and water was still pretty warm! They have 3 nice platforms setup and a surprising number of fish - some of them pretty big! Since they stock the quarry for catch & release fishing. Plus the wall is pretty interesting, crayfish and grasses etc. They made it easy for us to dive - a quick check in process (if you get there early enough before it gets too busy!!) and they have carts you can use to pull your gear down to the shore entry. Plus a shower off area for you and your gear. Wish they would put up some shelter near the scuba area! There are a few picnic benches and some grass areas which are fine - but we got fried while setting up our gear & during surface interval. If there was some shelter than I'd love to come back more often, for now I'll have to stick to cloudy days. read more

The water was clean and warm! You can swim out to a raft. It's exactly what I was looking for. Lake Michigan is too cold and all of the other lakes were too dirty or they were too shallow to swim in that we have gone to so far. It's beautifully landscaped. read more

There is nothing to do and accused us for hitting on our moms and it is very expensive to get into and the lifeguards are not very nice to deal with read more

This horrible park announces themselves as "dog friendly" and that is a full lie. They let the dogs on the hiking trails and that is all. No beach, no water, no picnic area, no grass that's not used for hiking. It's not worth the $5. We won't be returning to this lying, scam of a beach. read more

Nice to walk around. The water is too cold to swim. I have to pay $10.00 because I don't live in Crystal Lake.

Had a great day out at Three Oaks! Grounds are beautiful, water is crystal clean, and the weather was cooperating! We went paddleboarding and rented a boat for an hour and took a cruise on the lake. We saw alot of huge fish swimming around. Water was warm and clear and lake was like glass, so very smooth, no waves. Perfect way to relax for a day. read more

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Had a great time! But kind of expensive if you're a nonresident! The paddle boarding was a great experience, very easy to rent equipment and what not! Overall, had a great time there read more

Needing a sticker on my car instead of just an ID was always annoying but then we add in the packed beach and the time dragonfly larvae were biting me in the lake or the limited food options... I can go on unfortunately but I like that the beach and water is 5000% cleaner than main beach. So take your pros and cons. read more

In the area of Texas I grew up in, you had to drive around ten hours to reach a beach. So it's kind of crazy having so many so close by. Three Oaks is a wonderful little spot if you're looking to get some sun and enjoy the cool Illinois water. We went on a busy day, or at least I'm assuming a full parking lot is a busy day. But we still didn't have a hard time finding a spot for our blanket and chairs on the sand. The place is really popular for families, which as a parent, I deem to be a good thing. You don't have to worry about the place being dominated by a bunch of funsters having a "good time." The price wasn't bad, although it could probably be a buck or two cheaper. One of the cooler things they have is a Culvers right there on the beach. So if you're looking to knock out some hot cheese curds with ranch on a hot summer day, you have that option. There were around five to six lifeguards on hand, so you don't have to worry about the negative impact of cramping up from Culvers when you're swimming. Your life will be in capable hands. read more

This is a wonderful beach. The only complaint I have is that I like to read on my floating raft and the only place one can bring a raft in this huge lake is in the tiny area that's roped off for little kids. Other than that, this beach is very nice. I like that boats are available for rent and that there's a nice hiking area. read more

Love this beach. Very family friendly. Awesome splash pad for the kids, plenty of room on the beach considering a 90 degree day. Boat rentals are reasonable and the lake is clean. read more

We love having this so close to us. We can rent a boat for a couple hours to fish. It is very clean and well kept.

Cool place. Lots of options re: things to do for kids and adults. However, website hours of operation needs an update to ensure clarity ASAP. Indicates normal summer hours for several areas (just not "Beach") through Labor Day. Just arrived at 10:30 am for a day of fun, and beach is closed for swimming until 3:30 pm. Not sure why they can staff all the other areas - minus the lifeguards. Boo! read more

If you are not a resident of crystal lake dont bother coming here. When you pull up you pay $5 which makes you believe that's all you have to pay to get in. Nope another 10 bucks a person to get into the beach area, which is pretty small and crowded. They have free beach signs posted all around but in fine print saying crystal lake residents only. Overall the area looks cool, has paddle boards,fishing and wake boarding. Things you expect to pay more for right. But if you want a relaxing beach day without spending money this isn't the place. We even asked the guy at the gate if the beach is open we are not from around here, dosent mention you still have to pay more. See ya never crystal lake, driving to Wisconsin for a free beach entry. read more

Now that it's been a few years since this place opened, there are always too many people here. There is never enough space on the beach and parking is kind of a pain. We have since moved out of Crystal Lake so now it's $5 to enter and an additional $10 per person if you want to access the beach if you aren't a CL resident. People also lay out on top of the picnic tables so it's difficult to find a spot to actually have a picnic. Nothing good lasts once people get wind of it. Oh well. read more

This place is great! What a hidden GEM! Loved the area, the bar was nice, everything was clean all around. The place is quite hospitable- you can grab the bags to play bags, there are volleyballs. We definitely will be back! read more

Great family spot! We just discovered it and will be back many times. The prices for canoes and kayaks were very reasonable, the staff was friendly and helpful and my kids had fun fishing too. We'll be back to try the water sports which look like so much fun! read more

Zero stars paid 27.00 to get in for 45min no rain. Checks for me or the other guys that got in 15min ago what kind of crap is that never will I or my family be coming back zero stars for you an shame on you that's theft read more

There are so many wonderful activities you can do here. The area has fishing (catch and release only), kayaking, paddle boats, a beach, and several trails to walk along the lake side. Recently added was a Culvers snack bar so after physical activity you can grab a bit to eat. If you are not from Crystal Lake there is a five dollar charge per vehicle but pedestrian traffic is free. There are two entrances to the area and there is construction on the third for access from the different parts of CL. If you enjoy watch birds this place is home to many including ducks in the summer and geese occasionally in the winter. I gave a four star because a healthier choice of consession stand would have been optimal. read more

The views are spectacular and the beach is pretty good. Ill only have the last LAUGH with the STAFF. They didnt help me out when i rented a BOAT. HAHA. No tip. Otherwise great place RECCommended... read more

One our favorite summer spots! You can bring in your own food so we usually pack up a cooler for the day and head out there early. If you want to secure a picnic table you must arrive early because they are the first to go. The spray pad and park area are brand new and great for the little ones and the older kids love to swim out to the swim platform and dive off into the crystal clear waters. The showers and locker room are great also. Overall, very nice place with a concessions and boat rentals as well. I wish we lived closer so we could go more often. read more

I was little skeptical as they were building but it surpassed my expectations. Very popular spot and great way for the family to get exposure to the water and water sports. It costs a lot if you are not a resident of the park district but good for locals. They do weddings too... a lot of good atmosphere for a local town rec area. Must visit if a resident and bring a friend. read more

We didn't get to take advantage of much beyond the swim and beach area because that is where the kids wanted to stay. It was a nice little area - small for the crowd that seemed to flock there on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, but we did find a spot on the sand to lay down our things. We even moved up next to the water the later in the afternoon it got. The kids enjoyed the clean water and the sand. The view was beautiful, very clean and well tended. The flowers and plants were perfect choices. It was fun watching the people paddle board and kayak and boat off in the distance. Next time I would love to rent a boat. The splash pad and playground were fun for my little guy. The only 2 complaints I had were the lack of sinks in the bathroom. (I used an open shower to wash my hands when done.) The second was the line for the Culvers concession stand. It was so long and so slow. We waited for drinks about 15- 20 minutes, moving up in line only once. We gave up knowing that we were going to leave soon enough to have dinner elsewhere. It wasn't worth wasting that much time in line when the kids could spend it playing in the water. Next time we will go during the week. Hopefully it won't be as busy. Tips: Bring your own shade, food and drink and hand sanitizer. Be ready for a long walk if the parking lot is full. I would definitely go again sometime. read more

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