Enjoy the Illinois State Parks

Illinois has over 60 states parks to enjoy this fall and all year round.

Suburban residents luckily have several great state parks nearby. The parks include:

Chain O Lakes State Park

The 2,793-acre state park near Spring Grove has nearly 200 camping sites. Additionally, you can fish and canoe on the lakes. The Turner Lake Nature Preserve is about 80 acres within the park. The state has protected a segment of the park’s bog environment and its unique plants.

Illinois Beach State Park

Along Lake Michigan, residents from all over Lake County, can visit Illinois Beach State Bark. In addition to a great series of bike paths, Illinois Beach State Park allows fishing and swimming.

If you’re traveling from the Northwest suburbs, such as Arlington Heights or Mount Prospect,  take I-294 north to Rt 173 east (approx 8 miles). Take 173 to Sheridan Road. Make a right on Sheridan Road to Wadsworth Road. Lastly, make a left and you will be in the park.

Moraine Hills

If you continue past Lake Zurich on Rt. 12 (Rand Rd.), you can hike and run at Moraine Hills State Park. “The 48-acre Lake Defiance, located near the center of the park, was formed when a large portion of ice broke away from the main glacier and melted.” You can rent a boat for fishing or just enjoying Lake Defiance.

Other State Parks

Depending on where you want to travel in Illinois, you have lots of options. But depending on which park you want to visit, you can have lots of fun. Activities at the state parks include:

• fishing,
• hiking,
• hunting,
• boating,
• metal detecting,
• geocaching,
• biking,
• cross country skiing,
• archery, and
• horseback riding.

Illinois is not just lots of great shopping and cities. Explore the glories of nature this summer!