Top Things to do in Illinois
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10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Illinois That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve, Deer Run Forest Preserve, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock Recreational Area, Independence Grove Forest Preserve, Little Red Schoolhouse, Shawnee National Forest, Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, South Marcum campground.
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1. Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
951 acres total; 80 acres of prairie restorations. The District's largest contiguous tract of forest, home to many birds that require large tracts of forest for their survivial (hooded warbler, acadian flycatcher, broad-winged hawk and veery). Provides a wealth of fishing and hiking activities. Equestrian trails are provided and accessible from the adjacent Espenscheid Forest Preserve. Traditional picnic facilities. State's highly ranked Kishwaukee River runs through the property.
2. Deer Run Forest Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
One of the newest forest preserves, this 593-acre trat provides lots of open grass and prarie areas with wooded sections along the Kishwaukee River. Fifteen acres ow mowed space are perfect for games, picnics, etc. Deer Run also includes a trailhead for hiking and equestrian trails that wind through and connect with Oakridge Forest Preserve. Great spot for fishing and bird watching. Picnic area with grill, toilets and a well are convenient to parking area. Many diverse habitats. Spring and fall is a perfect time to view migrating birds . 9.5 miles of trails will challenge any hiker's endurance.
3. Garden of the Gods
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
As a native Chicagoan, I have always found it very hard to believe that a beautiful patch of land known as the Garden of the Gods Wilderness really exists in the state of Illinois, which is famous for growing corn and soybeans and is normally as flat as a football field. But here it is, along I-24, southeast of Carbondale, en route to Paducah, Kentucky, and the long bridge that spans the Ohio River, Garden of the Gods Wilderness, all 3,381 acres of it, located within the Shawnee National Forest in Hardin, Pope, Saline and Gallatin counties. The nearest town of any size is Equality, made famous because that's where legendary basketball coach Dolph Stanley started his career and built a high school powerhouse in the 1930s. How's that for trivia? I'll bet Stanley appreciated the wilderness, even before Shawnee National Forest was created in 1939. Garden of the Gods, a roadless parcel of land within the national forest, was set aside in 1990. It features beautiful rock formations, magnificent scenery, hiking trails, campgrounds and overlooks and observation points such as Buzzards Point, Anvil Rock, Camel Rock and Table Rock. Historically, this plateau south of Harrisburg was never covered by glaciers. In fact, the furthest advance of ice sheets during the Illinoian glaciation stopped just north of Garden of the Gods, leaving a thick bed of gray sandstone in what is now southern Illinois. Today, Garden of the Gods is the most visited wilderness area in Illinois and most visitors view the sunsets and climb the rock formations by negotiating the popular River to River (Ohio to Mississippi) Trail.
4. Rim Rock Recreational Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By RamblingBadger - Peoria, United States
Very nice picnic area Very cool trail- take the left trail, go down the stairs after taking the view from the platform. Walk by the stream in the cool and peaceful canyon. Read the educational sign. We took the look back to the parking lot. It was a nice hike, our favorite in the Forest
5. Independence Grove Forest Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By illinoistravelere
This extraordinary forest preserve is worth a visit any time of the year. Becuase of this season's heavy snowfalls, not all of the paths had been cleared. You could tell from tracks in the snow that this did not stop visitors with appropriate footwear from striking out across the terrain. During this particular visit, ice skating was forbidden, but ice fishing was going on. I couldn't resist taking photos of groups of fisherpeople scattered across the lake -- some drilling holes as I watched. The thaw is coming. Because this property is so large and has so much parking, it is very easy to social distance during your visit. See earlier reviews for more details (May 9, 2020; July 18, 2017; and September 4, 2016).
6. Little Red Schoolhouse
7. Shawnee National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By RamblingBadger - Peoria, United States
We had a great trip to the Shawnee National Forest We stayed in Marion. It was only about a 25 minute drive from many attractions but it has a lot of hotel and eating options. Very easy place to stay. The first day we visited Metropolis to see Fort Massac. Loved the huge statue of Superman in Metropolis, lots of photo opts. The Fort was good, you can walk through it in less than 30 minutes with a great view of the Ohio river. The park it is in a great for picnicing. We visited the Kincaid Mounds. The road to get to them was partially dirt and went through very rural IL. Mounds were huge and you could view them from an observation area. It was a pretty long drive for a 10 minute viewing. We drove on the Ohio Scenic Byway which took us through several small towns, not a lot of views of the River. The Chocolate Factory was a great place to stop for ice cream. We also stopped at Cave in the Rock which was in a nice park to walk through to check out the cave. It was nice to see. As others have said make sure you fill up with gas before going in the National Forest- I don't know if we saw a gas station and the points of interest are spread out. Also good to bring a picnic lunch. Not many food places to stop at but plenty of great places for picnicing. Driving through the Forest was very good. We hiked at Garden of the Gods which had great views. We liked the hiking at Rim Rock even better. Great picnic area at Rim Rock and cool hike into a sheltered glen. Take the left path and then go down the stairs. Read the educational markers and enjoy the hike of less than two miles on a good trail into the hollow by a beautiful stream. We went to Giant City and the Stone Fort trail, both of these trails were interesting but not as impressive as the views at G of G or the quiet of Rim Rock. We stopped at Makanda which was really only a handful of shops. While you are in the area stop by one of the many wineries. We stopped at Feather Hills, people were nice, setting was comfortable, and wine was good. What a great way to end a day. Great Forest, we would love to go back again in the fall to see the colors.
8. Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Public Access is provivded from either Blackhawk or Mulford Roads. This 145-acre preserve provides a diversity of recreational opportunities. Includes a 30-acre oak woods listed on the Illinois Natural Area Inventory of notable natural quality. A hiking trail provides access to the woods. Traditional picnic areas and shelters available. Adjacent to State of Illinois' high quality ranked Kishwaukee River.
9. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Toyota1994 - Chicago, United States
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is an admirable repurposed conservation area at the former Joliet ammunition plant. A variety of options are available to enjoy the place. The Visitor Center (closed now due to the pandemic) has attractive and informative exhibits. There is a sample of Prairie Plants Seed Beds at the visitor with a board that explains how the prairie is being restored. A multi-use trail leads north from the visitor center to the Bison Viewing post (0.5 mile from the visitor center). The trail continues on and connects up with a vast network of other trails. The trail called Group 63 Trail leads around the old bunkers including one which is open to walk in. A board at the entrance of the bunker explains the interesting war history of this area. The trail map does not depict where this specific bunker is located, but it appears to be about 2 miles from the Hoff Road Parking Lot. This is a park still in development and more trails signs could be helpful; so make sure to pick up a trail map at the trailheads before going on a long hike. If riding a bike, fat tires will certainly help. In summary, a great place to experience the prairie ecosystem. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is well worth a visit.
10. South Marcum campground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By jlcarter1975 - Metropolis, United States
Great campground with paved sites. We stayed on 111 with a 42' fifth wheel. It was an electric only site. We had a partial view of the lake and it was level. The bathrooms and showers are together in one room and private which is a very nice feature. There is a boat ramp near by and the lake has a swim beach too.
