For those who enjoy the peaceful serenity of water, here are eight water attractions in Illinois that are worth a visit from any corner of the state. From waterfalls to rivers to lakes, this state has it all. Scroll on to check it out.
- Chain O’ Lakes State Park
Facebook/Chain O’Lakes Marina The Fox River connects 10 lakes at this state park that contains campsites, hiking trails, equestrian trails, shelters, and more. It is an excellent place for boating and fishing. Those who visit can’t get enough of the views.
- Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
Flickr/Brian Jelonek Spanning 2,500 acres, this natural area is home to 600 different species of wildlife as well as more than 700 native plant species. There are 11 miles of trails, an overlook, a campground, and the most prominent feature, which is the Rocky Glen waterfall.
- Cave In Rock State Park
Flickr/David Wilson Spanning 240 acres of southern Illinois, this state park sits on the Ohio River and is known for its giant cave. The views inside and out are astounding.
- Mississippi Palisades State Park
Flickr/GoddessOfRocks Spanning 2,500 acres, this area of trails, rock formations, and the grand Mississippi River is one of the best water attractions in the state that few people know exists. Nature lovers from around the nation need to put this one on their bucket lists.
- Matthiessen State Park
Flickr/Tripp The waterfalls and canyons at this gorgeous state park are an incredible sight to see. If you love taking pictures of water or spending time near it, you’ll find plenty of wonderful treasures to hike to.
- Thunder Bay Falls
Google/Matthew Carlson This northern Illinois attraction is in plan view and is fed by a small creek that runs off Lake Galena. It is a marvelous place to take photos for special occasions or to take in the sounds of water crashing into itself.
- Starved Rock State Park
Google/Ryan David Nestled right on the Illinois River, this popular state park is full of extraordinary views as well as waterfalls, hiking trails, rock formations, canyons, and much more. People love the aquatic ecosystems and sprawling paths.
- Illinois Beach State Park
Wikimedia Commons/Yinan Chen This park spans 6.5 miles of the Lake Michigan shore and is home to 650 species of plants as well as sand dunes and beaches. The park is more than 4,000 acres of never-ending views.
What other water attractions do you enjoy in Illinois? Share your favorites with us below in the comments.
Facebook/Chain O’Lakes Marina
The Fox River connects 10 lakes at this state park that contains campsites, hiking trails, equestrian trails, shelters, and more. It is an excellent place for boating and fishing. Those who visit can’t get enough of the views.
Flickr/Brian Jelonek
Spanning 2,500 acres, this natural area is home to 600 different species of wildlife as well as more than 700 native plant species. There are 11 miles of trails, an overlook, a campground, and the most prominent feature, which is the Rocky Glen waterfall.
Flickr/David Wilson
Spanning 240 acres of southern Illinois, this state park sits on the Ohio River and is known for its giant cave. The views inside and out are astounding.
Flickr/GoddessOfRocks
Spanning 2,500 acres, this area of trails, rock formations, and the grand Mississippi River is one of the best water attractions in the state that few people know exists. Nature lovers from around the nation need to put this one on their bucket lists.
Flickr/Tripp
The waterfalls and canyons at this gorgeous state park are an incredible sight to see. If you love taking pictures of water or spending time near it, you’ll find plenty of wonderful treasures to hike to.
Google/Matthew Carlson
This northern Illinois attraction is in plan view and is fed by a small creek that runs off Lake Galena. It is a marvelous place to take photos for special occasions or to take in the sounds of water crashing into itself.
Google/Ryan David
Nestled right on the Illinois River, this popular state park is full of extraordinary views as well as waterfalls, hiking trails, rock formations, canyons, and much more. People love the aquatic ecosystems and sprawling paths.
Wikimedia Commons/Yinan Chen
This park spans 6.5 miles of the Lake Michigan shore and is home to 650 species of plants as well as sand dunes and beaches. The park is more than 4,000 acres of never-ending views.
For more like this, check out 10 waterfalls in Illinois that are hidden in plain sight.
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Address: James Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081, USAAddress: Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USAAddress: Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USAAddress: Cave-In-Rock State Park, 1 New State Park Rd, Cave-In-Rock, IL 62919, USAAddress: Thunder Bay Falls (Private), 233 Thunder Bay Rd, Galena, IL 61036, USAAddress: Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, Lemont, IL, USAAddress: Illinois Beach, 1 Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL 60099, USAAddress: Mississippi Palisades State Park, 16327A IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USA
