Valleys, bluffs, and waterfalls are just some of the natural wonders you’ll encounter at one of Illinois’ numerous state parks. You might even forget you’re in the Midwest with the abundance of pristine nature and activities you can enjoy year-round.
If you’re looking at one of the many affordable cities in The Prairie State, it’s good to know where the nearest state park will be. To help, here are the top 10 state parks in Illinois.
Giant City State Park
Google Rating: 4.80
Giant City State Park is a fantastic place to camp, horseback ride, picnic, swim, and explore. The park is part of the Shawnee National Forest and is about a 40-minute drive from Rockford. Rockford is considered by some as a ‘mini-Chicago’ with its great food, entertainment, and nightlife.
There are multiple trails within Giant City State Park, one of the most popular being Giant City Nature Trail, which features huge bluffs of sandstone formed 12,000 years ago. Stone Fort Trail, a moderately tough route, takes hikers along ruins of stone walls reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps nearly 100 years ago after it had been priorly scavenged by European settlers. The park is also equipped with playgrounds perfect for the kids and is lovely to visit year-round.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
Google Rating: 4.80
Located in Johnson County, Ferne Clyffe State Park is a 2,430-acre state park filled with countless trails and even a few refreshing waterfalls. Some activities you can look forward to are camping, fishing, backpacking, and hiking.
The park is just 2 miles south of Goreville on IL-37, and just about a 25-minute drive from Giant City State Park. The rock formations and caves are said to be some of the best in Illinois, so hiking is a must, just be sure to bring insect repellent and plenty of water.
Starved Rock State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
Starved Rock State Park makes for a great day trip from Chicago. This peaceful, green space is a perfect reset from the complexities of corporate life. The park is known for seasonal waterfalls, spectacular overlooks, and its steep sandstone bluffs formed by glacial meltwater. The facilities are clean, entry is free, and there is ample parking, but come early to secure your spot. The difficulty of the hikes is easy to moderate, and you may even spot some white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and migratory birds. There’s even a small museum inside the visitor center that covers the history of Illinois.
Matthiessen State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
Just down the road from Starved Rock State Park is beautiful Matthiessen State Park. Since Matthiessen is not as well known to tourists, it is more peaceful and less crowded. There are also small waterfalls at this park to enjoy. Bring comfy shoes as there are plenty of stairs, and if you visit after a rainfall, be careful as the trails can get quite mushy.
Cahokia Mounds State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
Located near Collinsville, Cahokia Mounds State Park is a fantastic historical site you can enjoy with the whole family. There are several miles of hiking trails and the view of St. Louis from the top of the tallest mound, Monks Mound, can’t be beaten on a clear day. There are even VR placards sprinkled around that give fascinating insight into the history of the park, and the onsite museum is packed with interesting artifacts and displays of life centuries ago.
Moraine Hills State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
Rent a boat and spend the day fishing at Moraine Hills State Park, about 55 miles north of Chicago. You can catch bass, blue gill, and plenty of other local species on a good day out on the lake. This park is also perfect for hiking, athletic training, biking, and meditation. There is a good variety of paved and unpaved paths, plenty of shade, bathrooms, and even a few playgrounds for kids. Remember to bring bug spray to avoid mosquitoes and other pesky insects.
Kickapoo State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
Kickapoo State Park is the go-to relaxation spot in Danville. The park is great for canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Located in eastern Illinois, Kickapoo is around a two-hour drive from Springfield, just bordering Indiana. This park is beautiful with several trails to hike, a lake to boat in, and numerous campsites to stay at (prices range from $10 to $20).
Kankakee River State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
Kankakee River State Park is a 4,000-acre site spread across Kankakee and Will Counties. The park is excellent for hiking, biking, camping, picnics, fishing, and canoeing. There’s plenty to see and the park can get quite busy on beautiful days. There are small waterfalls which you can view from the paved areas or climb down into the river and get right next to them. Always use caution as the Kankakee River has quite a strong current.
Pere Marquette State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
Pere Marquette State Park has stunning views of the Illinois River and can be visited during any season. Recreational activities here include horseback riding, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and boating. During the fall you can drive along the wooded ravines and riverside roadways nearby. Bald eagle watching is also a popular activity during January and February. The park is around a half-hour drive from Jerseyville and just borders Missouri to the west.
Cave-In-Rock State Park
Google Rating: 4.70
You can probably guess the main attraction of Cave-In-Rock State Park. The star of this state park is a 55-foot-wide limestone cave carved by water thousands of years ago. Local folklore has it that this spot was a favorite hangout of pirates in the 18th century, becoming a “wretched hive of scum and villainy.” Today, the cave is a landmark of the Ohio River and is accessible by ferry to and from Kentucky. On the Illinois side, the closest major city is Harrisburg which is about a 40-minute car ride away. You can go inside and explore the cave but be prepared as there are lots of stairs and no handicap access. Nearby there is a park lodge, picnic areas, campground, and more scenic trails.
*All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, google ratings, and the number of Google reviews.
Rakini Bergundy was born in a little surf town called Houhai in China and loves writing. She’s passionate about dogs, home renovations, and politics.
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