Parks and Nature
Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River bluff in La Salle County is one of Illinois'? most beautiful destinations. The park's 18 canyons featur... Read More
Located in Grundy County, Goose Lake Prairie is approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago and one mile southwest of the confluence of the Kankakee a... Read More
The Green River State Wildlife Area is a wildlife restoration area popular among hunters, hikers, birders and other outdoor enthusiasts.
There are four established nature trails for hiking enthusiasts. The Oak Ridge Trail is a 2.5-mile loop trail located in the campground. For those pre... Read More
Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area, also known as Dolan Lake, is located about 8 miles southeast of McLeansboro off Route 14.
Trail of Tears State Forest is situated in western Union County, five miles northwest of Jonesboro and 20 miles south of Murphysboro.
Tunnel Hill State Trail stretches for 45 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak. The trail continues on a trails spur for 2.5 miles from Karnak to Cache Rive... Read More
As you explore the Horseshoe Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, you may be reminded of the Deep South. The charm of bald cypress, tupelo gum, swamp cott... Read More
Museum Campus comprises 57 acres at the southeastern end of Grant Park. It is bordered by the waterfront and is the home to three museums. Although th... Read More
Conveniently located within a few miles of Interstate 57, U.S. Highway 36 and Illinois Route 133, the 671-acre site is 20 miles northeast of Charle... Read More
Horseshoe Lake is located off Highway 111 in the southwestern part of Illinois in Madison County. Only minutes away from a large, surrounding urban ar... Read More
Wildlife abounds in the Washington County State Recreation Area located four miles south of Nashville in southern Illinois.
The center has a wide range of easy to moderate trails. Walks wind through prairies, forests, and gardens. The grounds are open from dawn until dusk.
Illini State Park has lovely riverfront picnic areas and historic CCC buildings.
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts interested in water sports, horseback riding, picnicking or hiking will find that Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Ar... Read More
The site has 24 miles of mountain bike trails, a three-mile hiking/jogging trail, 26 miles of equestrian trails, and extensive camping opportunities.
Located just southeast of Clinton in DeWitt County, Weldon Springs State Park is a 550-acre park for all seasons. Weldon Springs' recreational agen... Read More
Located on a glacial moraine that forms the beautiful, rolling hills of Henry County in north-central Illinois, the park sits atop a trail that led Na... Read More
Jubilee College State Park is a 3,200-acre facility, located in Peoria County between the towns of Kickapoo and Brimfield, just off U.S. Route 150. Th... Read More
Located in the heart of the Rock River valley, the 385-acre White Pines Forest State Park is the south boundary of the historic Chicago-Iowa Trail.
Explore the 155-acres plants and trees, including a 12-acre bur oak grove with trees as old as 300 years. There is a fountain garden, butterfly ga... Read More
Enveloping both sides of the Kankakee River for 11 miles, in an area 6 miles northwest of Kankakee, the park consists of approximately 4,000 acres. Il... Read More
The Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail provides a natural northern boundary for the William G. Stratton State Park. Sixty-one miles of limestone sc... Read More
William W. Powers State Recreation Area, located on Wolf Lake on Chicago'?s far southeast side at the Illinois-Indiana state line, offers opportunitie... Read More
Eight miles northwest of Windsor, the sites encompass 11,100 acres of water, 250 miles of shoreline and large tracts of carefully maintained indigenou... Read More
Kickapoo State Recreation Area is near Danville in Vermilion County and easily accessible via I-74. It offers hiking, water sports, camping, and more.
Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area is a picturesque area along the east side of the Illinois River. Among its features are many artesian wells, whi... Read More
25 acres of open space close to the city of Galena. Popular with runners and dog walkers.
Whether you visit for an afternoon or stay a few days, you will leave Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area with many happy memories. Located in St... Read More
An 85 acre site which includes ancient mounds of archaeological interest. A great place to walk with your dog.
Scenic views and hiking trails overlook Galena’s beautiful skies. Includes natural prairie restoration. Park has restrooms, hard surface and mown tr... Read More
The Galena River Trail offers six miles (one way) of scenic hiking, biking or cross country skiing for users. The hard surface trip is suitable for b... Read More
Visitors to the 1,023-acre park can enjoy the sights of an American Beech woods; wildflowers, including the unusual squaw-root and beech drops; and... Read More
Park overlooking the Mississippi River where you can view the ancient Hopewell Indian mounds.
Landscaped park along the Galena river within walking distance of the downtown shopping area.
Lowden Memorial State Park can be reached from I-39 and I-88. It offers camping, fishing, and winter cross-country skiing.
Follow self-guided tour and signage to learn about the inhabitants of this forest.
Originally this site of a Fox Indian village, it now features a prairie restoration project.
Beautiful trails take you to the closed off mouth of an old railroad tunnel. One two mile is particularly beautiful but somewhat steep. May be off-lim... Read More
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, located along nearly 10 miles of scenic Illinois River backwaters, bottomlands and bluffs, lies in the heart of... Read More
Canyons, streams, prairie and forest combine to delight visitors at Matthiessen State Park. Located in central LaSalle County, approximately 4 mile... Read More
The gateway to seeing the park’s impressive assortment of plant and animal life is its rugged 15-mile trail system. The five trails in the northe... Read More
Picnickers will appreciate the pristine beauty of the area at picnic areas scattered throughout the area. It's also a great spot for paddling and fish... Read More
Located 3 miles south of McHenry in McHenry County, the park is located near the Fox River and McHenry Dam, with about half of the park's 2,200 acr... Read More
A 3.5 mile nature trail is marked for hikers, and it offers many scenic views of the lake as it winds through the park. This trail is particularly bea... Read More
Nauvoo's first name was Quashquema, a Fox Indian word meaning "peaceful place." Nauvoo, a Hebrew word for "beautiful place" or "pleasant land", is a h... Read More
Welcome to North Point Marina - the largest marina on the Great Lakes - a world-class facility offering public access to Lake Michigan from a quiet, s... Read More
Pere Marquette State Park is a nature lover's paradise. In addition to enjoying the spectacular views of the Illinois River and its backwaters from se... Read More
Prophetstown State Park, on the northeast edge of Prophetstown along the south bank of the Rock River in Whiteside County, is a scenic and historic ar... Read More
