Discover A Pristine Paradise When You Visit Illinois' Lake Glendale
By Melissa Mahoney|Published October 21, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
The Prairie State may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean it lacks shorelines and beaches. With nearly 3,000 lakes, there are plenty of places to enjoy some time at, in, or on the water. If you’re looking for a slice of paradise with a lake and beach in the Prairie State, you can find it at Lake Glendale Recreation Area in Southern Illinois.
Located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers a beautiful and serene place to connect with nature. Due to its central location, visitors can easily visit several other natural attractions in the area from here, as well. However, this preserve offers so much that you may not want to leave!
At this serene lake and surrounding recreation area, visitors can go hiking, biking, camping, fishing, swimming, and boating. It's a wonderful place to connect with nature year-round.
The beach at Lake Glendale is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The stretch of sand is the perfect place to relax when you're not swimming in the crystal clear waters or enjoying time boating out on the water.
Paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes can be rented at the beach when it's open.
If you wish to go hiking, there is a 2.9-mile loop trail that circumnavigates the lake. The trail is mainly flat the entire way, so you can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy lake views the entire way.
For those who would like to spend more than a day here, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers 34 campsites with water and electricity along with 25 primitive sites. Several campsites offer views of the lake.
If you enjoy fishing, you'll find a variety of fish here like bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and bluegill. The peaceful, serene waters of Lake Glendale are just perfect for both relaxing and recreation!
Have you visited Lake Glendale, a pristine paradise in Illinois? Let us know in the comments! For more information, visit the Lake Glendale Recreation Area website and Facebook page. Don’t forget to join our Illinois Nature Lovers Facebook group to connect with nature enthusiasts like yourself!
Read about another pristine lake you may enjoy visiting, Little Grassy Lake, in this article.
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