Illinois Beach State Park trails offer, what may come as a surprise to people, some of the most incredibly gorgeous sand dunes in the country that everyone needs to see. Illinois Beach State Park lies along the coast of Lake Michigan, which has the last remaining beach ridge shoreline and the best hiking in Illinois. While you are here, consider a lovely walk along a sandy path that leads to the beach and the water. Before you begin your journey, consider signing up for AllTrails Plus so you can unlock special features like offline maps, alerts, and more. 

Along the gorgeous shoreline of Lake Michigan is Illinois Beach State Park.
Tisha Ponce De Leon/AllTrails
With 4,160 acres, there is no shortage of recreation, including hiking, viewing wildlife, camping, biking, geocaching, swimming, and even SCUBA diving.
This state park has five miles of trails allowing visitors to easily traverse through oak forests, marshes, swales, dunes, and sandy beaches.
Adam J/AllTrails
And with over 650 plant species that have been recorded by the dunes alone, you'll have plenty to explore on a waterfront trail in Illinois.
If you want to see as much as possible at Illinois Beach State Park, it's best to explore on one of the hiking trails.
Nicole Geissberger/AllTrails
One of the best hikes is a combination of two trails, the Dead River and Dunes Loop Trail.

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This 2.5-mile loop is rated as moderate and has an overall elevation gain of 26 feet.
Sariah Ellsmore/AllTrails
There is light foot traffic along this route, so you may experience some peace, quiet, and solitude along the way.
We love the unique natural beauty we see hiking in Illinois along the trail which starts off as gravel and becomes sandy close to the shoreline.
Jessica Paulsen/AllTrails
The Dead River itself is a sight to see as it is blocked by sandbars most of the year, forming more of a long, narrow pond.
Tie Kan/AllTrails
Once in a while, however, the water level rises over the sandbars, changing the landscape as the river then flows into Lake Michigan. It's a fascinating natural wonder!
Aside from the Dead River, the trail becomes sand and leads to the spectacular Lake Michigan!
Michael Young/AllTrails
Make sure to spend some time on the beach enjoying all the beauty around you at Illinois Beach State Park.

If only all pathways could lead to Illinois Beach State Park trails! Are you ready to take the trail to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan? Let us know if you’ve trekked along this trail in the past. For more information on the Dead River and Dunes Loop Trail, head to the AllTrails webpage and to the Illinois Beach State Park web page to plan your visit.

Check out this cool drone footage of the park to give you an idea of the layout.

You can also visit our article on some of the best beaches in Illinois if you’re planning on a beach day any time soon.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Fun At Lake Michigan In Illinois

Carolyn Harmon | July 14, 2023

What are the best Lake Michigan beaches in Illinois?

This list of five Lake Michigan beaches in Illinois makes you feel like you’re at the ocean. Imagine a lake nearby that does all of that for you! Here are a few worth nothing.

  • Oak Street Beach (1000 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois): This fun hotspot offers bike, volleyball, and chair rentals; bathrooms; an ADA-accessible beach walk; and delicious refreshments at Oak Street Beach Cafe. What's pretty cool is you can also see a view of the city skyline. And get this — Jeff Zimmermann's mural, “You Know What You Should Do” is along a wall near the Lakefront Trail, the access point to the Oak Street Beach underpass.
  • Waukegan Municipal Beach (201 Seahorse Drive, Waukegan, Illinois): The lovely 400 acres showcase a gorgeous lakefront offering sandy beaches and green space for other recreational activities. A mile-long beach offers plenty of room for swimming, kiteboarding, and floating. Bring your boats if you have them to the 1,000-slip marina. A variety of live music, festivals, and concerts take place here. And when you're belly starts rumbling, order snacks and yummy ice cream from the food vendors.
  •  Gillson Park (Lake Ave., Wilmette, Illinois): This pretty 60-acre park offers beautiful lakefront property. Go bicycling, play soccer or volleyball; and afterward enjoy a picnic. Rent a sailboat or a kayak, and at night play tennis on the lighted tennis courts. The sky's the limit with the fun you'll have in this magical place. For more information, visit Gillson Beach's Facebook page.

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Illinois Beach State Park, Zion, IL 60099, USA