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Old 07-13-2023, 01:38 PM
 
175 posts, read 147,011 times
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Looking for recommendations for an Illinois State park to take a quick day trip visit to from Chicago. Looking for good hiking as well as a lake/beach. Thanks
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Old 07-14-2023, 09:00 AM
 
747 posts, read 579,155 times
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The most popular park, by far, is Starved Rock State Park, where hikers go. Good restaurant and hotel in the park.
About one hour drive from downtown Chicago. Trails are easy, maybe too easy for all ages. Has caverns and river nearby.
You can see it in one day or less down rte 80 west. No beach. Summer and fall are nice...very busy on weekends!
Matheissen park is nearby, not as busy, worth seeing. Bring lunch.
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Old 07-14-2023, 11:06 AM
 
1,067 posts, read 914,716 times
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Rock Cut State Park in Rockford is a great option. Good hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding. And a lake / beach area.
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Old 07-14-2023, 11:28 AM
 
175 posts, read 147,011 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dtcbnd03 View Post
Rock Cut State Park in Rockford is a great option. Good hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding. And a lake / beach area.
Will look into it, thanks!
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Old 07-14-2023, 11:35 AM
 
175 posts, read 147,011 times
Reputation: 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by carnelian View Post
The most popular park, by far, is Starved Rock State Park, where hikers go. Good restaurant and hotel in the park.
About one hour drive from downtown Chicago. Trails are easy, maybe too easy for all ages. Has caverns and river nearby.
You can see it in one day or less down rte 80 west. No beach. Summer and fall are nice...very busy on weekends!
Matheissen park is nearby, not as busy, worth seeing. Bring lunch.

I know that is the popular one, but I still haven't been yet. Thanks!
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Old 07-15-2023, 08:08 PM
 
Location: Bellevue
3,037 posts, read 3,304,919 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spt4523 View Post
Looking for recommendations for an Illinois State park to take a quick day trip visit to from Chicago. Looking for good hiking as well as a lake/beach. Thanks
https://www.visitlakecounty.org/IllinoisBeachStatePark

Check out Illinois Beach State Park, Zion IL

https://www.stateparks.com/illinois_..._illinois.html

You may compare with Indiana Dunes or a park in Michigan.
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Old 07-15-2023, 11:56 PM
 
251 posts, read 197,539 times
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Not a beach, but I enjoyed Castle Rock park. Nice view of the rock river... The blackhawk statue is up a few miles. There's an elevated wooden stair case to get a nice view of the river from the tree tops
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Old 07-16-2023, 04:33 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
828 posts, read 449,685 times
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Matthiessen State Park is pretty nice. Around an hour and a half from the west loop for me.
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Old 07-16-2023, 07:06 PM
 
Location: Kronenwetter Wisconsin
903 posts, read 663,749 times
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We always took our kids to Apple River. Of course they are now 40 and 46. But it was fun 35 years ago. And Starved Rock.
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Old 07-18-2023, 10:04 AM
 
175 posts, read 147,011 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EllieKay56 View Post
We always took our kids to Apple River. Of course they are now 40 and 46. But it was fun 35 years ago. And Starved Rock.
Looks really cool! A little far for me, hahaha
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