The Top State Parks in Illinois

01
of 08

Moraine Hills State Park, situated in northeastern Illinois 3 miles southern of McHenry, extends 2,200 acres and also is included marshes and also lakes. Bring your field glasses and also find greater than 100 various bird varieties, consisting of wonderful blue herons and also environment-friendly herons, along with migratory birds like wonderful egrets. Don’t fail to remember to look listed below also—red foxes, prairie wolves, white-tailed deer, cottontails, and also raccoons make their house below. You can additionally invest your time angling, picnicking near the 48-acre antarctic Lake Defiance, or treking at Pike Marsh, a 115-acre location filled with unusual plants and also blossoms. As you check out the marsh, watch for Ohio goldenrod, dwarf birch, Kalm’s lobelia, hoary willow, and also bottle plants, the latter of which catch and also absorb bugs.

02
of 08

Spanning 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan, Illinois Coastline State Park can be discovered near the communities of Antioch, Buffalo Grove, and also Deerfield in the north component of the state. You can delight in a variety of outside tasks below, consisting of swimming, boating, treking, angling, picnicking, and also running. With greater than 650 plant varieties, springtime is an especially wonderful time to go to as a result of the multi-hued wildflowers in blossom. See evergreen in the southerly location of the park (where outdoor camping is additionally readily available) along with Dead River, which is even more of a fish pond in look.

03
of 08

This main LaSalle Region state park brings in site visitors from throughout to stray its canyons, grassy fields, and also woodlands, populated with streams and also big rock developments. The Upper and also Lower Dells, generally canyon, are a few of the must-see websites, as the natural resource develop a rainbow of shades on the rocks. The park is abundant in plants and also animals, also: Maintain your eyes peeled off for deer, which are attracted to the mineral-rich springtimes, along with the mosses, liverworts, and also brushes expanding in the damp canyons. At the same time, oak and also cedar trees thrive on the sandy bluffs up high. This park is among one of the most prominent in Illinois; it’s ideal seen early in the day and also throughout the week, when there are less individuals to emulate. The shoulder periods of springtime and also loss are perfect months to check out.

04
of 08

Found 6 miles northwest of Kankakee, this 4,000-acre state park inhabits arrive on both sides of the Kankakee River. It has a lengthy background, with the location initially bring in outdoors fanatics in the 1890s, although Indigenous Americans, farmers, and also investors lived and also functioned below at numerous factors long previously after that. Today, you can trek and also check out a 3-mile route along Rock Creek, bike the Davis Creek Location route for 10.5 miles, or, if you have a steed, ride the 12-mile equestrian route. Outdoor camping, angling, canoeing, and also kayaking are additionally prominent tasks. Guided walks and also youngsters’s programs are fantastic chances to get more information regarding the park and also are at no cost.  

05
of 08

In Winnebego Region, near Beloit, Rock Cut State Park is a treasure in the much north reaches of the state. Pierce and also Olson lakes are the centerpieces of the park’s 3,092 acres and also welcome lots of waterfowl. It’s along these beachfronts that you’ll have your choice of water tasks like angling, swimming, and also kayaking in the warmer months and also ice skating and also ice angling in the winter. If you’re not right into water-based experiences, you can additionally delight in 40 miles of treking or 23 miles of hill cycling on marked routes. Primitive and also electrical websites are readily available for camping year-round. Forgot to load a barbecue? Head to the Lone Rock coffee shop, which supplies shakes, coffee, and also treats from May to October.

06
of 08

Starved Rock State Park, positioned near La Salle and also Ottawa in the Illinois River Valley, is a unique all-natural marvel. The valley was produced by floodings as antarctic meltwater flowed with moraines, leading to greatly worn down sandstone and also stratified rocks. Site visitors to the park today can admire 18 canyons—consisting of the French, LaSalle, and also St. Louis canyons—every one of which have falls, an unusual website in the state of Illinois. The appeal of the location is ideal checked out deep in the canyons along with up high up on the bluffs. Take care, nevertheless, of poisonous substance ivy, which prospers throughout the park, supplying crucial food for the wild animals.

Remain in the lodge, constructed by the Private citizen Preservation Corps in the 1930s, which includes 72 resort areas and also 22 cabin areas. Households enjoy the pool, sauna, jacuzzis, and also outside patio area. The dining establishment has a wonderful breakfast, also, and also deserves experiencing also if you’re not remaining inside the park. The park is greatly seen in the summer season, making the various other 3 periods perfect for dropping in.

07
of 08

Found 3 miles southern of Oregon on Freeway 2, Castle Rock State Park is an exterior heaven filled with rock developments, gorges, sandstone bluffs, and also a variety of plants and also animals. Extending for 2,000 acres, 710 of which are secured as an Illinois Nature Preserve, this park has 3 outing locations and also 6 miles of marked walking routes. For day usage, site visitors can fish, search, swim, bike, and also go primitive canoe outdoor camping. Although there are no camping areas readily available at the park, Lake Ladonna in neighboring Oregon supplies cabins along with camping tent and also motor home websites; Lake Louise Camping Site in Bryon is for RVing just.

08
of 08

It’s no surprise just how Chain O’Lakes State Parks obtained its name, taking into consideration that it surrounds 3 lakes that attach to 7 others. (As well as if that weren’t adequate water for you, there’s an 11th lake, 44 acres huge, snuggled within the park’s margins). Flaunting the biggest focus of all-natural lakes in Illinois, this state park brings in water fans of all types to go boating, water winter sports, and also angling for bluegill, largemouth bass, and also north pike. Treking, cycling, and also equestrian routes can be discovered below, also. If you wish to camp, Chain O’ Lakes supplies greater than 230 websites, which can be booked online. Water footwear are a must.