SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE
Illinois and Indiana are both brimming over with wonderful places to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation, from vast state parks and federal reserves to county and city parks and greenways. The varied landscape encompasses shimmering lakes, deep forests, rolling rivers, colorful meadows, sweeping grasslands, and pristine wetlands for a full array of ecosystems and environs. Even within the cities and towns, active parks and recreation departments develop and manage a world of facilities and amenities. Programs are available for all age groups and interests, from summer camps and family activities to senior field trips.
STATE / FEDERAL PARKLAND
Northeast Illinois Parks
Buffalo Rock State Park
Ottawa, IL 815-433-2224
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Chain O’ Lakes State Park
Spring Grove, IL 847-587-5512
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Channahon State Park
Channahon, IL 815-467-4271
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area
Wilmington, IL 815-423-5326
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Gebhard Woods State Park
Morris, IL 815-942-0796
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area
Morris 815-942-2899
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Heidecke Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
Morris, IL 815-942-6352
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Information 608-441-5610
www.nps.gov/iatr
Illinois Beach State Park
Zion, IL 847-662-4811
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail
Information 815-942-0796
https://www2.illinois.gov/
James “Pate” Philip State Park
Bartlett, IL 847-608-3100
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Kankakee River State Park
Bourbonnais, IL 815-933-1383
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Moraine Hills State Park
McHenry, IL 815-385-1624
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife Area
Braceville, IL 815-237-0063
https://www2.illinois.gov/
North Country National Scenic Trail
Information 616-319-7906
www.nps.gov/noco
North Point Marina
Winthrop Harbor, IL 847-746-2845
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Silver Springs State Fish & Wildlife Area
Yorkville, IL 630-553-6297
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Volo Bog State Natural Area
Ingleside, IL 815-344-1294
https://www2.illinois.gov/
William G. Stratton State Park
Morris, IL 815-942-0796
https://www2.illinois.gov/
William W. Powers State Recreation Area
Chicago, IL 773-646-3270
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Northwest Indiana Parks
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Porter, IN 219-395-1882
www.nps.gov/indu
Indiana Dunes State Park
Chesterton, IN 219-395-1882
https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm
Potato Creek State Park
North Liberty, IN 574-656-8186
www.in.gov/dnr/parklake
Tippecanoe River State Park
Winamac, IN 574-946-3213
www.in.gov/dnr/parklake
Regional Highlights
Bailly Homestead
1100 North Mineral Springs Road
Porter, IN 219-395-1882
www.nps.gov/indu/learn/historyculture/bailly_homestead.htm
Chellberg Farm
1100 North Mineral Springs Road
Porter, IN 219-395-1882
www.nps.gov/indu/learn/historyculture/chellberg.htm
Buckley Homestead Living History Farm
3606 Belshaw Road
Lowell, IN 219-769-PARK
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Deep River County Park
9410 Old Lincoln Highway
Merrillville, IN 219-769-PARK
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Gibson Woods Nature Preserve
6201 Parrish Avenue
Hammond, IN 219-844-3188
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Forked Creek Preserve & Forsythe Woods
Kahler Road
Wilmington, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park
21690 Range Line Road
Hebron, IN 219-769-PARK
whttp://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Hammel Woods
Route 59
Shorewood, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Hickory Creek Preserve
West La Porte Road
Mokena, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center
700 Howe Road
Porter, IN 219-395-9555
https://duneslearningcenter.org
Iron Oaks Environmental Learning Center
20000 Western Avenue
Olympia Fields, IL 708-481-2330
www.ironsoaks.com
Isle a la Cache Preserve
501 East Romeo Road
Romeoville, IL 815-886-1467
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Lake Etta County Park
4801 West 29th Avenue
Gary, IN 219-769-PARK
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Lemon Lake County Park
6322 West 133rd Avenue
Crown Point, IN 219-769-PARK
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Ly-Co-Ki-We Horse & Hiking Trail
Brummitt Road
Chesterton, IN 219-926-7561
Monee Reservoir
27341 Ridgeland Avenue
Monee, IL 708-534-8499
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Oak Ridge Prairie County Park
301 South Colfax Street
Griffith, IN 219-769-PARK
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
Indiana Dunes
100 North Lake Street
Gary, IN 219-938-8221
www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/deec.htm
The Perry Farm
459 North Kennedy Drive
Bourbonnais, IL 815-933-9905
https://www.btpd.org/parks/perry-farm-park/
Rock Run Trail
Access Points Vary
Joliet, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Sagawau Environmental Education Center
12545 West 111th Street
Lemont, IL 630-257-2045
http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/sagawau-environmental-learning-center
Stoney Run County Park
9230 East 142nd Avenue
Hebron, IN 219-769-PARK
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Sugar Creek Preserve
17540 West Laraway Road
Joliet, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Sunset Hill Farm County Park
775 Meridian Road
Valparaiso, IN 219-465-3586
Three Rivers Park County Park
2800 Colorado Street
Lake Station, IN 219-769-PARK
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Veterans Woods
Joliet Road
Romeoville, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Whihala Beach County Park
1561 Park Road
Whiting, IN 219-659-0860
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Nature Centers & Gardens
Bessemer Park
8930 South Muskegon Avenue
Chicago, IL 312-747-6023
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Bessemer-Park
Braidwood Dunes & Savanna Nature Preserve
Route 113
Braidwood, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
Brookfield, IL 708-688-8000
https://www.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Home
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 847-835-5440
www.chicagobotanic.org
Cosley Zoo
1356 Gary Avenue
Wheaton, IL 630-665-5534
www.cosleyzoo.org
Crabtree Nature Center
3 Stover Road
Barrington, IL 847-381-6592
http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/crabtree-nature-center
Gabis Arboretum & Gardens
450 West 100 North
Valparaiso, IN 219-462-0025
https://www.pnw.edu/venue/gabis-arboretum/
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 North Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 312-746-5100
https://garfieldconservatory.org
Gibson Woods Nature Preserve
6201 Parrish Avenue
Hammond, IN 219-844-3188
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve
Main Street
Griffith, IN
http://www.lakecountyparks.com/
Horner Park Nature & Wildlife Garden
2741 West Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 773-478-3499
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Horner-Park
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
7402 West Lake Katherine Drive
Palos Heights, IL 708-361-1873
www.lakekatherine.org
Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve
Renwick Road
Plainfield, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 312-742-2000
www.lpzoo.org
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road
Willow Springs, IL 708-839-6897
http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/little-red-schoolhouse-nature-center
Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve
Route 53 & Division Street
Lockport, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Messenger Woods Nature Preserve
Bruce Road
Lockport, IL 815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
4400 North Simonds Avenue
Chicago, IL 312-742-PLAY
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 630-968-0074
www.mortonarb.org
Nichols Park Wildflower Garden
1355 East 53rd Street
Chicago, IL 312-747-2703
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Nichols-Park
Plum Creek Nature Center
27064 Dutton Road
Beecher, IL 708-946-2216
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Portage Park Nature & Wildlife Garden
4100 North Long Avenue
Chicago, IL 773-685-7235
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Portage-Park
Prospect Gardens Park Nature & Wildlife Garden
10940 South Prospect Avenue
Chicago, IL 312-747-6163
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Prospect-Gardens-Park
Red Oak Nature Center
2343 South River Street
Batavia, IL 630-897-1808
www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/facilities/red-oak-nature-center
River Trail Nature Center
3120 Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL 847-824-8360
http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/river-trail-nature-center
Rutherford Sayre Park Nature & Wildlife Garden
6871 West Belden Avenue
Chicago, IL 312-746-5368
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Rutherford-Sayre-Park
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue
South Holland, IL 708-868-0606
http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/sand-ridge-nature-center
Thorn Creek Nature Center
247 Monee Road
Park Forest, IL 708-747-6320
http://tcwoods.org
Washington Park Zoo
115 Lakeshore Drive
Michigan City, IN 219-873-1510
www.washingtonparkzoo.com
PARKS & RECREATION CONTACTS
State & County Parks
Illinois State Parks
Northwest Region
815-772-4708
https://www2.illinois.gov/
Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs
Department of Natural Resources
317-232-4200
www.in.gov/dnr/parklake
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
General Information
800-870-3666
www.fpdcc.com
Forest Preserve District of Will County
General Information
815-727-8700
www.reconnectwithnature.org
Lake County, IN
General Information
219-769-PARK
www.lakecountyparks.org
Porter County, IN
General Information
219-465-3586
www.porterco.org
Local Park Districts
Alsip, IL
708-389-1003
www.alsipparks.org
Chicago, IL
312-742-PLAY
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
Hickory Hills, IL
708-598-1233
www.hhparkdistrict.org
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL
708-957-0300
www.hfparks.com
Joliet, IL
815-741-7275
www.jolietpark.org
Kankakee Valley, IL
815-939-1311
www.kvpd.com
Lemont, IL
630-257-6787
www.lemontparkdistrict.org
Lockport, IL
815-838-1183
www.lockportpark.org
New Lenox, IL
815-485-3584
www.newlenoxparks.org
Mokena, IL
708-390-2401
www.mokenapark.com
Valparaiso, IN
219-462-5144
www.valpoparks.org
Quicklinks
Chicagoland Fishing
www.chicagolandfishing.com
Explore America
www.recreation.gov
Friends of the Parks
www.fotp.org
Illinois Audubon Society
https://illinoisaudubon.org
Illinois Conservation Foundation
https://ilconservation.org/
Illinois Fishing Guide
www.ifishillinois.org
Indiana Audubon Society
https://indianaaudubon.org
Indiana Lake Management
www.indianalakes.org
Indiana Park & Recreation Association
www.inpra.org
Nationwide Camping Guide
www.gocampingamerica.com
The Nature Conservancy
www.nature.org
Sportsman’s Connection
www.sportsmansconnection.com
USDA Forest Service
www.fs.fed.us
