Illinois State Parks
Illinois is home to a diverse and underrated state park system, with more than 60 state parks, recreation areas, and natural areas spread across prairies, forests, rivers, bluffs, and lakes. Visitors often praise Illinois state parks for their scenic variety, well-maintained trails, and accessibility from major cities, making them popular for both quick getaways and longer outdoor trips. Travelers frequently highlight iconic destinations like Starved Rock and Matthiessen for their sandstone canyons and waterfalls, Giant City for its dramatic rock formations, and Shawnee State Park for rolling hills and panoramic views. Families appreciate the picnic areas, fishing lakes, and easy walking trails, while campers commonly mention peaceful campgrounds, shaded sites, and friendly park staff. From hiking and birdwatching to kayaking, fishing, and fall foliage viewing, Illinois state parks are widely valued for offering beautiful natural escapes and outdoor recreation in the heart of the Midwest.
Explore state parks across Illinois
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
A scenic Lake Michigan park with beaches, dunes, and diverse wildlife.
Apple River Canyon State Park
A scenic park with limestone canyons, woodlands, and the Apple River, ideal for outdoor recreation.
Argyle Lake State Park
A scenic park with a 93-acre lake, offering fishing, boating, camping, and year-round outdoor activities.
Beall Woods State Park
Beall Woods State Park is a haven for old-growth forest enthusiasts along the Wabash River.
Beaver Dam State Park
Beaver Dam State Park is a scenic retreat with a lake, woodlands, and diverse outdoor activities near Carlinville, Illinois.
Buffalo Rock State Park
A scenic park with river views, picnic areas, and unique geological features.
Castle Rock State Park
Castle Rock State Park features dramatic sandstone bluffs, forested trails, and riverfront recreation in northern Illinois.
Cave-In-Rock State Park
A scenic park famous for its historic riverside cave and panoramic Ohio River views.
Chain O'Lakes State Park
A popular park featuring interconnected lakes, boating, fishing, and year-round outdoor recreation.
Channahon State Park
A historic park at river confluence with trails, fishing, and canal history.
Dixon Springs State Park
Dixon Springs State Park features scenic woodlands, unique rock formations, and family-friendly recreation in southern Illinois.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
A scenic state park in southern Illinois known for its unique rock formations, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
Fort Massac State Park
A historic park on the Ohio River featuring a reconstructed 18th-century fort and scenic recreation.
Fox Ridge State Park
A wooded park with rolling hills, hiking trails, and river views near Charleston, Illinois.
Gebhard Woods State Park
A peaceful 30-acre park in Morris, IL, known for fishing, picnicking, and canal access.
Giant City State Park
A scenic park famed for its towering sandstone formations and abundant outdoor activities.
Goose Lake Prairie State Park
A vast prairie park with trails, wetlands, and abundant wildlife near Morris, Illinois.
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park
A historic canal parkway offering recreation, wildlife, and scenic trails.
Horseshoe Lake State Park
A scenic park with a large lake, ideal for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing near Granite City.
Illinois Caverns State Park
A unique state park featuring Illinois' only commercial cave open to the public.
James 'Pate' Philip State Park
A restored prairie and wetland park in northeastern Illinois, ideal for nature exploration and wildlife viewing.
Johnson Sauk Trail State Park
A scenic park with a lake, woodlands, and year-round outdoor activities.
Jubilee College State Park
A scenic park with woodlands, trails, and historic Jubilee College.
Kankakee River State Park
A riverside park known for fishing, hiking, and scenic natural beauty.
Kickapoo State Park
A diverse park with lakes, rivers, and trails for outdoor recreation.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park
A picturesque park featuring a 40-acre lake, camping, fishing, and hiking in northwest Illinois.
Lincoln Trail State Park
A scenic park with a large lake, woodlands, and diverse outdoor recreation in east-central Illinois.
Lowden State Park
Lowden State Park features scenic river bluffs, woodlands, and the famous Black Hawk Statue.
Matthiessen State Park
Matthiessen State Park features dramatic canyons, waterfalls, and diverse hiking trails.
Mississippi Palisades State Park
A scenic park with bluffs, trails, and river views along the Mississippi River.
Moraine Hills State Park
A scenic park with lakes, wetlands, and trails for outdoor recreation near McHenry, Illinois.
Morrison-Rockwood State Park
A picturesque park featuring Lake Carlton, abundant wildlife, and year-round recreation.
Nauvoo State Park
A scenic park in Nauvoo featuring a lake, camping, and historical attractions.
Pere Marquette State Park
Illinois’ largest state park, known for river views, bluffs, and outdoor recreation.
Ramsey Lake State Park
A peaceful state park featuring a 40-acre lake, woodlands, and year-round outdoor activities.
Rock Cut State Park
A scenic park with lakes, woodlands, and year-round outdoor recreation near Rockford, Illinois.
Sangchris Lake State Park
A scenic park known for its large lake, fishing, boating, and abundant wildlife.
Siloam Springs State Park
A scenic park in western Illinois known for its natural springs, woodlands, and recreational activities.
Silver Springs State Park
A picturesque park featuring natural springs, river access, and abundant outdoor activities.
South Shore State Park
A lakeside park known for boating, fishing, and scenic views near Lake Shelbyville.
Spitler Woods State Park
A serene woodland park near Decatur, featuring mature forests and abundant wildlife.
Spring Lake State Park
A serene park with a long lake, woodlands, and abundant outdoor recreation.
Starved Rock State Park
A stunning park famous for canyons, waterfalls, and scenic river views.
Walnut Point State Park
A serene park with a lake, woodlands, and abundant wildlife in east-central Illinois.
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park
A lakeside park offering fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife viewing near Rend Lake.
Weldon Springs State Park
Weldon Springs State Park features a lake, woodlands, and diverse recreational opportunities in central Illinois.
White Pines Forest State Park
A tranquil park with ancient white pines, limestone bluffs, and scenic creeks.
William G. Stratton State Park
A riverside park renowned for boating, fishing, and picnicking along the Illinois River.
Wolf Creek State Park
Wolf Creek State Park is a lakeside retreat offering camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation near Lake Shelbyville.