Are you looking for the best State parks near Chicago? We got you covered.
The greater Chicago area is a great place to visit for travelers interested in outdoor pursuits, such as hiking and exploring nature.
With a wide array of amazing state parks near Chicago, it is ideal for experiencing various ecological environments, beautiful scenery and landscapes, and enjoying unique nature.
Here we list 13 of the best State Parks near Chicago, Il.
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Table of Contents
Best Chicago State Parks
| Highlights | Driving Time From Chicago | Entrance Fee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channahon State Park |
| Under an hour’s drive. | Free | More info | |
| Indiana Dunes State Park |
| Under an hour’s drive. | $7 for state residents of Indiana and $12 for out-of-state visitors. | More info | |
| Illinois Beach State Park |
| Around an hour’s drive. | Free | More info | |
| Warren Dunes State Park |
| Around one-and-a-half-hour drive. | Daily entrance fee of $10 or an annual pass fee of $36 for non-residents. Entry by bicycle or on foot is exempt from these fees. | More info | |
| Starved Rock State Park |
| Around a 1 hour 30 minute drive. | Free | More info | |
| Matthiessen State Park |
| Around a 1h30 minutes drive. | Free | More info | |
| Kankakee River State Park |
| About 1h30 minutes drive. | Free | More info | |
| Big Foot Beach State Park |
| About a 1h30 minute drive. | Entrance fee of $8 for residents and $11 for out-of-state visitors. Annual admission passes are also available. | More info | |
| Lowden State Park |
| Around a 2 hours drive. | ??? NOG Bekijken | More info | |
| Potato Creek State Park |
| Around a 1hr 50minute drive. | $7 for Indiana residents and a $9 for out-of-state visitors. | More info | |
| Tippecanoe River State Park |
| About a 1 hour and 50 minutes drive. | $7 for Indiana residents and $9 for out-of-state visitors. For pedestrians and bicycles, the fee is $2. | More info | |
| Rock Cut State Park |
| About a 1hr 50-minute drive. | Free | More info | |
| Chain O’Lakes State Park |
| Around a 2h50-minute drive. | $7 for residents and $9 for out-of-state visitors. | More info |
Best Parks to Visit near Chicago
We sorted these state parks by driving time with the parks closest to Chicago first.
Channahon State Park, Illinois
Channahon State Park has played a significant role in history over the years before its current place as a calm and relaxing park.
The name ‘Channahon’ comes from a Native American word meaning “the meeting of the waters”, as the park is on the convergence of the Dupage, Des Plaines, and Kankakee Rivers.
The park is somewhat unique in that camping is allowed but vehicular access is not.
This means campers must do “primitive tent camping”, only using gear that can be walked to the campsite.
The park is also popular for picnics, canoeing, and fishing.
Highlights
Experience traditional camping without all the modern conveniences a vehicle can provide, or simply stroll through the park for a picnic.
The many rivers provide a wide variety of fish for keen fishers and different difficulty levels for canoeing.
Address
24302 W Story St,
Channahon, IL, 60410
Driving Distance From Chicago
The park is situated in Will County, just under an hour’s drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
7:30AM – 7:00PM
Entrance fee
Free
Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana
Indiana Dunes State Park is an interesting park as it is a state park surrounded by a national park.
This is quite unusual but can also be seen as an indicator of the breadth of important environments and the significance of this area.
The park has a variety of ecological systems and landscapes, ranging from rich forests to marshes to towering sand dunes.
The park even has a ‘3 dune challenge’ which involves attempting to hike the three tallest dunes.
If you don’t love climbing sand dunes, check out the many other hiking trails.
If you prefer something a bit different, the lakeside beaches also have swimming and other beachside activities available throughout summer.
Highlights
Some of the highlights of Indiana Dunes State Park include the wide variety of beautiful landscapes and scenery that visitors can enjoy along with the amazing hiking trails in the park.
The range of activities makes this a great pet and family-friendly park to visit
Address
1600 N. 25 East
Chesterton, IN 46304
Driving Distance From Chicago
The park is located just under an hour’s drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
7:00AM – 11:00PM
Entrance fee
The park has an entrance fee of $7 for state residents of Indiana and $12 for out-of-state visitors.
Illinois Beach State Park, Illinois
If you’re looking for more of a beach experience, Illinois Beach State Park might be the place for you.
With 6.5 miles of shoreline, visitors are spoilt for choice in beach locations and activities.
Stretching along the coast of Lake Michigan, there are many opportunities for swimming, boating, kayaking, fishing, and more.
Hiking enthusiasts shouldn’t worry either, there are still plenty of beautiful hiking trails to explore.
For more about Illinois Beach State Park, check out our previous post here.
Highlights
Some highlights include the beautiful beaches and various activities you can enjoy.
There is also a great range of non-beach activities to take part in.
Address
1 Lake Front Dr.
Zion, IL, 60099
Driving Distance From Chicago
Illinois Beach State Park lies around an hour’s drive from Chicago.
Opening Hours
8:00AM – 8:00PM
Entrance fee
Free
Warren Dunes State Park, Michigan
Warren Dune State Park is an interesting state park located around a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago.
It is well known for its striking sand dunes which can be found throughout the park.
The tallest reaches 73m and towers over Lake Michigan, providing amazing views from the top and a variety of fun activities.
Many people enjoy sandboarding on these sand dunes along with other more standard lakeshore beach activities.
There are 3 miles of shoreline to enjoy with a relaxing beachy atmosphere to be found throughout.
More into hiking? There are also 6 miles of hiking trails.
For those who are a bit more adventurous, you might like to try hang-gliding from the sand dunes.
Highlights
Some of the highlights include Tower Hill, the highest peak in the park, along with other dunes such as Mt. Fuller, Pikes Peak, and Mt. Edwards.
This state park is great for the range of activities you can take part in.
Address
12032 Red Arrow Highway
Sawyer, MI 49124
Driving Distance From Chicago
Around one-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago.
Opening Hours
8:00AM – 10:00PM
Entrance Fee
The Park has a daily entrance fee of $10 or an annual pass fee of $36 for non-residents.
Entry by bicycle or on foot is exempt from these fees.
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
Around a 1hr 30minute drive from Chicago, you will find Starved Rock State Park, one of the top-rated state parks in Illinois and home to beautiful scenery, forests, and waterfalls.
Starved Rock is great to visit year-round with a range of things to experience depending on the season.
From waterfalls in spring to snowshoeing in winter, Starved Rock is an ideal state park for all visitors.
Read Also:
From the best activities to the best travel time, here’s all you need to know about Illinois’ number 1 state park
Highlights
Starved Rock is well-known for its lush forests, and beautiful waterfalls. There is a great range of trails, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced hikers.
Address
2678 E 875th Rd
Oglesby, IL, 61348
Driving Distance From Chicago
Starved Rock is around a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Chicago.
Opening Hours
6:30 AM – Sunset
Entrance Fee
Free
For more information on Starved Rock State Park, see our full guide here.
Matthiessen State Park, Illinois
Close to Starved Rock State Park and just under 1h30 minutes from Chicago is Matthiessen State Park, another well-renowned state park in Illinois.
This state park is popular for its beautiful forestation, unique geological formations, and amazing waterfalls.
There are many hiking trails to choose from and it makes a great hiking trip for lovers of nature.
Highlights
Matthiessen State Park is ideal for spotting unique rock formations and vegetation.
The forests and waterfalls make for great scenery while exploring the park.
Address
2500 IL – 178,
Oglesby, IL, 61348
Driving Distance From Chicago
Matthiessen State Park is just like Starve Rock around a 1h30 minutes drive from Chicago.
Opening Hours
7:00 AM – Sunset
Entrance fee
Free
For more information on Matthiessen State Park, feel free to check out our previous post here.
Kankakee River State Park, Illinois
Kankakee River State Park is a large state park with a wide range of activities to enjoy.
From hiking trails that explore various ecosystems to horse-riding trails to canoeing and kayaking, there is something for everyone in Kankakee River State Park.
Read Also:
Best places for kayaking in Illinois.
The scenery of the Kankakee River along with the surrounding forests is a beautiful sight and is ideal for visitors to the area to experience.
Highlights
Beautiful river views, stunning forests, and more abound in Kankakee River state park.
The wide range of activities makes this an ideal location for various traveler types.
Address
5314 W, IL-102
Bourbonnais, IL, 60914
Driving Distance From Chicago
Kankakee River State Park is about 1h30 minutes drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
6:30AM – 8:00PM
Entrance Fee
Free
For more details about the state park, see our previous post.
Big Foot Beach State Park, Wisconsin
Big Foot Beach State Park is a 271-acre park located about a 1 and a half-hour drive from Chicago.
The park is popular among families and nature enthusiasts.
The park is situated along Lake Geneva and so offers beautiful sandy beaches along with wooded campgrounds, forest hiking trails, and more.
Big Foot Beach State Park is generally considered a relaxed and quiet state park, without all the crowds of some of the more famous and popular sites.
This allows it to present a very serene landscape.
The environment is untouched and the campgrounds have a warm family-friendly atmosphere.
Highlights
Exploring the hiking trails of Big Foot Beach State Park, especially the Geneva Lake Shore Trail is a big attraction in the area.
Enjoying the campgrounds is also a great way to enjoy the nature of the park.
Address
1550 S Lakeshore Dr
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Opening hours
6:00AM – 11:00PM
Driving Distance From Chicago
This park is located about a 1h30 minute drive from Chicago.
Entrance Fee
There is an entrance fee of $8 for residents and $11 for out-of-state visitors. Annual admission passes are also available.
Lowden State Park, Illinois
Lowden State Park is situated around a 2-hour drive from Chicago and is often visited for a number of reasons.
Perhaps the most well-known feature of the park is the large statue of a Native American which looks over the Rock River Valley.
This 50-foot statue is striking regardless of the time but is considered to be most exceptional around sunset when the dramatic lighting hits it.
The statue is most commonly associated with Chief Black Hawk, a Native American from the history of the area.
The park is also popular for camping, with many different campsites available.
For shorter visits, there are 4 miles of trails available and various picnicking spots throughout the park.
Highlights
Highlights include viewing the statue and the surrounding scenery, especially if you can arrange it for the right time of day. The Rock River is also a big highlight of the park.
Address
1411 N River Rd
Oregon, IL, 61061
Driving Distance From Chicago
Lowden State Park is around a 2 hours drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
Couldn’t find opening hours
Entrance fee
Free
Potato Creek State Park, Indiana
Potato Creek State Park centers around the 327acre Lake Worster, which provides a focal point and range of activities to enjoy in the park.
The large lake allows for a wide range of ecosystems to exist in the park, making it a great location for exploring various types of nature.
These include forests, wetlands, prairies, and more.
Visitors can also enjoy canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing.
For hiking enthusiasts, there is a range of trails available, ranging from easy to difficult.
There are also mountain biking trails for those looking to explore the park in a different way.
Highlights
Lake Worster provides most of the highlights of Potato Creek State Park. There are camping and picnicking facilities at various places around the lake.
There are also 2 boat launches.
If you want to explore the other areas of the park you can follow the hike and bike trails.
This park is ideal for nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and visitors looking to try out mountain biking.
Address
25601 State Road 4
North Liberty, IN 46554
Driving Distance From Chicago
Potato Creek State Park is located around a 1hr 50minute drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
7:00AM – 11:00PM
Entrance Fee
The park has a $7 entrance fee for Indiana residents and a $9 fee for out-of-state visitors.
Tippecanoe River State Park, Indiana
The Tippecanoe River State Park is situated about a 1hr 50minute drive outside Chicago. It is a great option as either a day trip or overnight.
If you love to camp, you will find many different campsites within the park that can provide a great experience for camping enthusiasts.
Hiking lovers will enjoy the many hiking trails throughout the park, especially along the Tippecanoe River which snakes along the east side of the park.
Experience a variety of environments such as oak forests, pine plantations, and even occasional sand dunes. This range can make for interesting and varied hiking trips.
Highlights
The Tippecanoe River is clearly significant to the area and provides the basis for many highlights in the park.
The wide variety of hiking trails and campsites make this park ideal for lovers of nature and the outdoors.
Address
4200 N US Hwy 35
Winamac, IN 46996
Driving Distance From Chicago
It’s about a 1 hour and 50 minutes drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
7:00AM – 11:00PM
Entrance fee
The entrance fee is $7 for Indiana residents and $9 for out-of-state visitors. For pedestrians and bicycles, the fee is $2.
Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park is the largest state park in Northern Illinois and offers a wide range of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, along with skiing and snowshoeing trails in the winter.
There are two major lakes as part of the park, making it great for wildlife and bird watchers.
There is also a wide range of vegetation, including wildflowers which can be enjoyed by experts and casual viewers alike.
Highlights
Some highlights of Rock Cut state park include the display of wildflowers during the spring, along with the wide variety of native wildlife.
The range of ways to explore the park makes it ideal for a variety of visitors with different interests.
Address
7318 Harlem Rd
Loves Park, IL, 61111
Driving Distance From Chicago
Rock Cut State Park is about a 1hr 50-minute drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
6:00AM – 7:00PM
Entrance fee
Free
For more details about Rock Cut State Park, we have a previous post here.
Chain O’Lakes State Park, Indiana
As the name would suggest, Chain O’ Lakes State Park is home to many bodies of water.
With 9 connecting lakes within the park and three rivers bordering the park, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to lake scenery and activities.
You can boat along the chain of lakes with fishing allowed in certain lakes.
There are also 23 miles of hiking trails to explore, many with amazing lakeside scenery.
The variety of ecosystems such as wetlands and forests, attracts a wide range of wildlife, making the park great for wildlife and bird watchers.
Highlights
Some highlights of Chain O’Lakes State Park include fishing along the electric-motor-only lakes, exploring the varied nature of the area, and viewing the stunning wildflowers which bloom throughout the park.
Address
2355 E. 75 S.
Albion, IN 46701
Driving Distance From Chicago
Around a 2h50-minute drive from Chicago.
Opening hours
Summer : 6:00AM – 9:00PM
Winter: 8:00AM – Sunset
Entrance fee
The entrance fee for Chain O’Lakes State Park is $7 for residents and $9 for out-of-state visitors.
Conclusion
There is a great variety of beautiful state parks near Chicago.
With everything from lush forests to towering sand dunes, the area has much to offer nature-lovers and explorers.
Here we have some of the best state parks near Chicago for your next adventure.
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