Tiny But Mighty, The Smallest State Park In Illinois Is A Hidden Gem Worth Exploring
Kim Magaraci
Author
Illinois is known as a state that has vast, sweeping prairies and plenty of spectacular open space. It might surprise you to learn that one of our state parks is less than 21 acres in size! The smallest state park in Illinois is a gateway to a much bigger network of amazing hiking, biking, and nature paths, though – and a visit to the Channahon State Park is a great way to experience the outdoors.
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The area around Channahon is important to archaeologists, too, as it was the site of a large Native American settlement, complete with mounds and pits that provide insights into how they lived at the time. You can learn all about this fascinating Illinois park on the state’s website.
We love exploring state parks in Illinois. Which is your favorite for hiking, biking, fishing, or paddling? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re looking for other fun and interesting things to do in The Land of Lincoln, take a look at this video:
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More to Explore
Adventures in Illinois
Where can we find other state parks in Illinois?
- Kankakee River State Park in Bourbonnais is a 4,000-acre state park located on both sides of the Kankakee River.
- Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby features sandstone canyons, waterfalls, and beautiful overlooks.
- Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry is highlighted by acres of wetlands, lakes, a river, and a forest area.
Learn more about the other wonderful state parks in Illinois.
Where can we enjoy winter sports in Illinois?
- At Batavia Riverwalk in Batavia the Depot Pond freezes over and becomes a natural ice skating rink.
- The Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Beecher offers features a 40-foot sledding hill and snowshoes to use on its miles of trails.
- Northerly Island is a little-known island in Chicago where you can go snowshoeing.
Read on to learn more about the other great places to enjoy winter sports in Illinois.
Where can we go fishing in Illinois?
- Lake Shelbyville in Shelby County features 120 miles of shoreline and is the place for flathead catfish and bigmouth buffalo.
- Rend Lake in Franklin County is popular for catfish and white bass fishing.
- Banner Marsh in Fulton County is known for its abundance of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, crappie, bluegill, and other varieties.
Read on to learn more about the fantastic places to go fishing in Illinois.