Anderson Prairie

This 25-acre wildlife park, featuring remnants of the original tallgrass Illinois prairie, features a butterfly house.

CITY: Pana

Andrew's Mill Park

Picnic area, pond for fishing & ice skating with handicap accessible fishing pier, Gerald Strohecker natural area with native woodland, prairie and wetland.

CITY: Pearl City

Bald Knob Cross

A national symbol of faith, this 111-foot-tall cross, when illuminated at night, can be seen over an area of 7,500 square miles atop the most prominent elevation in Southern Illinois. The cross is surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest.

CITY: Alto Pass

Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area

Fishing, boating, picnicking in the out-of-doors.

CITY: Canton

Cache River State Natural Area

Nationally renowned for its ancient cypress-tupelo swamp, this natural area contains 100 threatened or endangered plant and animal species, and 11 state champion trees. Visitors enjoy birding, hunting, wildlife watching, and hiking. Bikers can access the Cache River via the Tunnel Hill State Trail.

CITY: Belknap

Cache River Wetlands Center

The Wetlands Center provides a one-stop shop for information about the Cache River Wetlands and its recreational and educational opportunities. The center has an extensive natural and cultural history exhibit, wildlife viewing, trails and a video.

CITY: Cypress

Camp Sagawau Environmental Education Center

Environment Education Center - offers cross country skiing in the winter.

CITY: Lemont

Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

As a major stopping point for migrating ducks and geese, this 9,486-acre area offers excellent public waterfowl hunting opportunities.

CITY: Vandalia

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

22 species of fish are found in this lake, including bass, white crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, yellow bass, bluegill, and carp. This 1,100-acre lake is surrounded by native oak and hickory forests. Picnicking, hiking, and limited hunting and trapping.

CITY: Coffeen

Columbia Woods Forrest Preserve

Offers places to fish and picnic. Canoe access. Biking. A host for "A River Thru History" each September, where you can step back 200 years into Chicago's past with a festive gathering of fur trappers, settlers, craftsmen, and entertains along the banks of the Des Plaines River - www.ariverthruhistory.com.

CITY: Willow Springs

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center

Wilderness area, wildlife viewing, walking trails, special events, gift shop, campgrounds, fishing, boating, sailing, fishing tournaments; must get a "user pass" at Visitors Center for these lakes.

CITY: Marion

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Visit Illinois’ bayou. Yes, the bayou in Illinois. Cypress Creek Wildlife Refuge is home to incredible cypress-filled swamps and wetlands and is unlike anything you expect to find in the Midwest. The refuge protects 15,000 acres of lush wetlands and some of the oldest living trees east of the Mississippi River.

CITY: Ullin

Des Plaines Conservation Area

This site's 5,500 acres make up one of the largest and most used hunting and field trailing areas in the state. It also offers camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, two small natural areas and 12 miles of equestrian trails with cross-country jumps.

CITY: Wilmington

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Over 25,000 acres, nearly 140 miles of trails and educational facilities. Enjoy relaxing, volunteering and exploring the forests, lakes, prairies, and open spaces.

CITY: Wheaton

Fults Hill Prairie/Kidd Lake Marsh State Natural Area

This natural area comprimises 532 acres of forest, prairie and flowering trees, with a trail and pond.

CITY: East St. Louis

Garden of the Gods

Explore the dramatic rock formations, cliffs and trails of the most visited site in the Shawnee National Forest. Millions of years in the making, the Garden of the Gods provides spectacular views unlike anywhere in the Midwest. See Camel Rock, Anvil Rock, Devil's Smoke Stack and other magnificent rock formations in this hiker’s and photographer’s wonderland.

CITY: Karbers Ridge

Hamilton County State Fish And Wildlife Area

The 1,683-acre site has a 75-acre lake where families can picnic, fish, paddle boat, camp and enjoy the good food at the on-site restaurant.

CITY: McLeansboro

Horn Field Campus

Rustic setting available for retreats, picnics, camps, nature studies or a team course.

CITY: Macomb

Illinois Caverns

There are formations of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and more. An underground stream flows through the cave bed, and the temperature is a relatively constant 58 degrees.

CITY: Waterloo

Iroquois County State Wildlife Area

The area features some of the finest and most extensive prairie-marsh and sand dune vegetation remaining in Illinois. Primarily operated as a permit pheasant hunting area, hiking, picnicking, and snowmobiling opportunities are also available.

CITY: Beaverville

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

A 26-square mile tract situated in the gently rolling countryside of west-central Illinois, this scenic natural area has one of the state's largest public access areas.

CITY: Chandlerville

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

Approximately 5,000 acres are timber, while there are 46 miles of trails for activities including horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and bicycling. Boating is permitted. Camping with electricity.

CITY: Chandlerville

Johnson Creek Recreation Area

Recreation area includes group camping, walk-in camp sites, swimming, and picnicking facilities. Handicap accessible restrooms and fishing pier.

CITY: Murphysboro

Julius J. Knobeloch State Nature Preserve

Beautiful. untouched nature preserve which way originally purchased by the Knobeloch family in 1874. After a family disagreement, the land was auctioned off to the nature conservancy and then sold to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

CITY: Freeburg

Kaskaskia River State Fish and Widlife Area

One of the largest state-owned and managed sites in Illinois, located 35 miles southeast of St. Louis. The land and water area total more than 20,000 acres of river and bottomland. It contains 36 miles of river.

CITY: Baldwin

Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Sandstone bluffs and rolling hills surround the lake and oak-hickory forest. Picnicking, fishing, boating, and hunting opportunities available.

CITY: Murphysboro

Lake Katherine Nature Preserve

158-acre nature area. Largest waterfall in Cook County. 3.5 miles of hiking trails in prairies, woodlands and wetlands.

CITY: Palos Heights

Lakeview Nature Center

Borders Spring Lake Park and is habitat for deer, turkey, fox, geese, beaver and coyotes. Trails and educational programs offered.

CITY: Macomb

Macomb Park District

12 parks that offer diverse activities. Fishing, picnics, baseball diamonds, volleyball courts, hiking trails and playgrounds.

CITY: Macomb

Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area

The Middle Fork natural area offers equestrian trails, hunting and fishing. The Middle Fork Natural Scenic River runs through the area.

CITY: Oakwood

Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area

Canoeing is popular along the river's length, which winds through a mixture of forests and prairies. Forest and upland game hunting are also popular at the 2,700-acre site. Horseback riding on 35 miles of trails is available.

CITY: Oakwood

Midewin Tall Grass Prairie

Largest open space in northeast Illinois.

CITY: Wilmington

Mississippi River State Fish and Wildlife Area

Consisting of 15 wildlife management areas and 13 public access areas, the Mississippi River State and Wildlife Area manages a majority of its 24,400 acres to accommodate waterfowl hunting and habitat enhancement.

CITY: Grafton

Old Plank Road Trail

Old Plank Road is a 21-mile recreation and nature trail used by in-line skaters, walkers, runners, bikers, bicyclists and even cross-country skiers in the winter. This trail reaches from Park Forest all the way to Joliet.

CITY: Matteson

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area

With nearly 1,100 of its 1,380 acres primarily composed of oak and hickory stands, this area offers exceptional habitat for deer and squirrel, and is a good hunting area as well. In the winter, sight-seers ofter spot bald eagles along the Illinois River.

CITY: Griggsville

Renfrew Park

6-acre park donated to the village in 1891 by David McWilliams, the first banker and business person in the community. It is named after the Prince of Wales, Baron Renfrew, who visited the area while on a hunting expedition in 1860.

CITY: Dwight

Ryerson Woods Conservation Area and Visitors Center

Ryerson Conservation Area is one of the best examples of a northern flatwoods forest, a rare northern Illinois landscape. The 552-acre Preserve supports some of Illinois' most pristine woodlands and several state-threatened and endangered species, and offers 6.5 miles of scenic trails that wind through a stately forest to the quiet Des Plaines River. The Welcome Center, opened in 2006, features "green" architecture and was designed using LEED standards. In addition to preserve information, it offers a nature library, exhibits and meeting rooms.

CITY: Riverwoods

Sand Ridge State Forest

The largest of all the state forests in Illinois. Covers 7,100 acres of native oak-hickory forests and pine plantations. Supports diverse desert flora and fauna in its sandy landscape as well as also offering a variety of recreational facilities.

CITY: Forest City

Sanganois Conservation Area

A 9.960-acre bottomland environment of sloughs and backwater lakes, Sanganois is managed primarily to provide a refuge for migratory waterfowl and a public duck hunting area.

CITY: Chandlerville

Severson Dells Nature Center

Nature lovers will enjoy 369 unspoiled acres with an unusual 90% concentration of native wildflowers, a paved path and 2.5 miles of trails. The Nature Center features a butterfly garden, gift shop, aquarium and indoor beehive.

CITY: Rockford

Shawnee National Forest

The Shawnee National Forest is famed for its awesome Garden of the Gods, and is home to the Rim Rock Recreational Trail (the forest has a system of 403 miles of equestrian/hiking trails). Hikers are greeted by magnificent jutting walls of rock covered with emerald-green moss, and paths that meander through canyons under the forest canopy. Nestled between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the stunning Shawnee National Forest landscape features rolling hills, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs.

CITY: Harrisburg

Shawnee Trails End

Come ride the Shawnee National Forest, in Southern Illinois. See the beautiful countryside, the scenic back roads, endless trail, and enjoy all the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. Such as scenic bluffs, spring flowers, wildlife, streams, waterfalls, and awesome rock formations.

CITY: Herod

Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area

A 6,400-acre wildlife area on the north end of Lake Shelbyville. Hunting for waterfowl, forest and upland game is popular. Boat access is provided to accommodate anglers and hunters.

CITY: Bethany

Spring Lake Park

Offers a wide variety of recreational activities. Fishing, boating, camping & hiking.

CITY: Macomb

Stone Creek Golf Club & Resort

Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, Stone Creek features an 18 hole-championship course and beautiful cabins. Stone Creek also offers a restaurant, clubhouse, and a scenic area for hiking and fishing.

CITY: Makanda

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

5,800 acres vary from flat bottomlands to rolling forestlands. Fields throughout the site provide for 1,000 acres of planted food for wildlife. Game hunting for rabbit, quail and waterfowl is allowed. Fishing is available at 25 strip-pit lakes and ponds.

CITY: McLeansboro

Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins

Nestled in the beautiful hills of the Shawnee National Forest, Timber Ridge offers something for everyone, from families and honeymooners to outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy some Southern hospitality while staying in a real log cabin or one-of-a-kind treehouse. Each of the units, including the treehouse, is equipped with a bathroom, kitchenette, heating and air conditioning.

CITY: Elizabethtown

Touch of Nature Enviornmental Center

Just 8 miles south of Carbondale, Touch of Nature borders the Shawnee Forest. It is a 3,100 acre wooded retreat area perfect for group events. Located in the City of Makanda, IL.

CITY: Makanda

Tunnel Hill State Trail

This scenic 45-mile-long hiking and biking trail runs along a converted rail bed through farmland, hills/bluffs and bottomland areas.The trail passes through the Shawnee National Forest and Cache River State Natural Area, with railroad trestles and an old train tunnel as picturesque markers along the way.

CITY: Vienna

Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area

Hiking, picnicking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Hunting for upland game, fur-bearers and deer is encouraged on its 2,265 scenic acres that overlook the Mississippi River.

CITY: Chester

Volo Bog State Natural Area

Just 45 minutes northwest of Chicago is a state natural area featuring the state's only quaking bog with an open water center. Volo Bog State Natural Area was created when the melting of glaciers pushed deep into the ground 12,000 years ago.

CITY: Ingleside

Watershed Nature Center

A 3,000 ft. wheelchair-accessible pathway at lake level and wood-chipped trails wind through forested areas. An elevated walkway spans the wetlands and two observation towers, a wildlife viewing blind, an outdoor amphitheater and classroom.

CITY: Edwardsville

Wetlands Preserve

57-acre wetlands preserve features wildflower, birds, and wildlife, which may be viewed from an observation deck.

CITY: Freeport