About the Village of Winthrop Harbor
Winthrop Harbor is a small village in Lake County, Illinois, situated along the western shore of Lake Michigan at the Wisconsin border. With a population of just under 7,000 residents, the village offers a quiet, community-oriented atmosphere while sitting within easy reach of both Chicago and Milwaukee.
The village is home to North Point Marina, one of the largest freshwater marinas in the United States, and is bordered to the south by Illinois Beach State Park — more than 4,100 acres of protected shoreline, dunes, wetlands, and natural habitat. This combination of world-class marina infrastructure and preserved natural landscape makes Winthrop Harbor a genuinely unique destination on the Great Lakes.
The Village of Winthrop Harbor operates with a strong commitment to its residents and the broader boating community. Municipal services, parks, and public access to the lakefront are central priorities, and the village works closely with marina operators, local businesses, and community organizations to maintain the quality of life that makes Winthrop Harbor special.
About North Point Marina
North Point Marina is one of the largest freshwater marinas in the United States, with capacity for over 1,500 boats across multiple basins. Located at the northern tip of Illinois on Lake Michigan, the marina offers direct, unobstructed access to the open lake — making it a preferred home port for boaters throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond.
The marina features a full range of amenities including fuel docks, pump-out stations, ship store, restrooms and shower facilities, and on-site boat services. The surrounding area includes restaurants, a lakefront biergarten, charter fishing operations, and easy access to the trails and beaches of Illinois Beach State Park.
For the 2026 season, SkipperBud's has taken over day-to-day marina operations, bringing experienced management and a deep commitment to the boating community.
Illinois Beach State Park
Stretching along 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Illinois Beach State Park is the only remaining natural beach in Illinois. The park encompasses more than 4,100 acres of dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forest — providing critical habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species and offering exceptional outdoor recreation for visitors year-round.
Visitors to North Point Marina have immediate access to the park's northern unit, with hiking and biking trails, swimming beaches, picnic areas, and a nature preserve. The park is a destination in its own right, drawing hikers, birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts from across the region.
The proximity of Illinois Beach State Park to North Point Marina is one of the defining characteristics of Winthrop Harbor as a destination — nowhere else on the Illinois lakefront can you step off your boat and into thousands of acres of protected natural landscape.