Illinois
Hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and more: 10 most visited Illinois state parks
There’s plenty of beauty across Illinois, from the southern part to the northern part and everything in between.
Plenty of that beauty comes at state parks.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois has 135 state parks; 28 parks and areas are located in West Central Illinois. State Parks tend to be open from 7 a.m. to sunset unless listed as closed on their respective website on DNR.
Here’s a look at the 10 most visited state parks in 2023 according to IDNR. The estimates are based on a 12-month calendar year by visitation and guests per car.
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10. Fort Massac in Massac County
Number of visitors: 953,000
What: Overlooking the mighty Ohio River from the southern tip of Illinois, this majestic location has been preserved and maintained since 1908, when it became Illinois’ first state park. The nearly 1,500-acre park is perfect for picnics, camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and seasonal hunting programs. The park also has an 18-hole disc golf course. The fort is a reminder of days gone by and a good place to take a step back in time to breathe in the natural surroundings as people did over a century ago. The park is also home to special events that bring to life Colonial and early American history, including the popular Fort Massac Encampment festival each October.
9. Frank Holten in St. Clair County
Number of visitors: 991,000
What: Within view of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, Frank Holten State Park is an ideal destination for outdoor recreation in an urban setting in East St. Louis. The 1,080-acre St. Clair County park features the 18-hole Grand Marais Golf Course, two lakes for outstanding fishing, and plenty of open space for picnicking and other outdoor fun. The site is named for the late Frank Holten, who served the region in the Illinois General Assembly for 48 years.
8. Clinton Lake in DeWitt County
Number of visitors: At least 1 million
What: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in east central Illinois can fit just about every outdoors activity into its 9,300-acre site. The 4,900-acre lake and outstanding fishing are the primary draws, with accessible boat launches at the Mascoutin and West Side Access Areas, a fishing pier at the Spillway Access Area, and bank fishing at Valley Mill. With over 3,600 usable acres for archery and deer hunting, hiking trails follow the long shoreline toward campgrounds with over 300 campsites.
7. Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County
Number of visitors: 1.1 million
What: Rock Cut State Park is aptly named – being chiseled directly out of the rocky landmarks and hills of northern Illinois. Rock Cut’s 3,254 acres include two lakes: Pierce Lake with 162 acres, and Olson Lake with 50 acres. Both offer a retreat for people wanting to fish, ice fish or ice skate. The park’s hiking trails, horseback riding trails and cross-country skiing and wildlife watching, as well as seasonal hunting programs, make it a year-round recreation destination.
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6. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Franklin County
Number of visitors: 1.32 million
What: Overlooking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 19,000-acre Rend Lake Reservoir, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreational Park is Southern Illinois’ biggest outdoor area with countless ways to outdoorsmen to enjoy nature’s pleasures. A large contributor to the visitations is the hunting season programs, which attract thousands annually. Rend Lake is well-known as an outstanding sport fishery for white and black crappie and a dog training field for dog sporting.
5. Kankakee River State Park in Kankakee County
Number of visitors: 1.3 million
What: On land first treasured by the Native tribes to the region, Kankakee River State Park offers visitors its proud heritage in an unspoiled setting. Anglers, canoeists, hunters, campers, hikers, bicyclers and other outdoor enthusiasts find the park’s recreational opportunities unsurpassed. The naturally channeled 11 miles of the Kankakee River is listed on the Federal Clean Streams Register and is the focus of the 4,000-acre park’s popularity.
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4. Kickapoo State Recreation Area in Vermilion County
Number of visitors: More than 1.3 million
What: Since the state’s purchase of the land in 1939, trees and vegetation have reclaimed the former mined land. Once a turn-of-the-century surface mining operation, Kickapoo State Recreation Area’s 2,842 acres now provide an outdoor playground with something to appeal to every member of the family. The park offers 22 deep-water ponds, ranging in size from 0.2 to 57 acres, provide a total of 221 acres of water for boaters, canoeists and anglers.
3. Hennepin Canal State Trail spanning five counties
Number of visitors: 1.9 million
What: There are plenty of picnic tables along the 104.5-mile linear Hennepin Canal State Trail spanning five Illinois counties from Rock Island to Whiteside. The trail was first constructed in 1892 for the historic Hennepin Canal, the first American canal built out of concrete without stone cut facings. The towpath provides 155 miles of hiking/biking fun from the Illinois River to the Rock River, with the feeder canal path to Rock Falls. Segments of the trails are open to horseback riding and for those looking to plan ahead – snowmobiling is a must in the winter.
2. Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County
Number of visitors: 2 million
What: It makes sense why Chicago is such a popular city; skyscraping city lines that touch the clouds down to the transit system which buzzes across the golden coast right past Illinois Beach State Park, a gem in northern Illinois. The park is the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state, with dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, forests of oak and vast arrays of animal life on its 6.5-mile stretch along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. More than 650 species of plants have been recorded in the dunes area alone, including dozens of types of colorful wildflowers. The 4,160-acre park, consisting of two separate areas offers ample opportunities for swimming, boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping and simply appreciating nature.
1. Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County
Number of visitors: More than 2.3 million
What: As Illinois’ second state park ever established in 1911, the park’s beautiful 18 canyons soar above heads with moss coverings on sandstone, formed by glaciers of bygone eras past.
Previously used by the Hopewellian, Woodland, and Mississippian Native Americans who thrived in the region, in 1673, French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jesuit missionary Father Jacques Marquette passed through the area on their way up the Illinois from the Mississippi River. In 1682 however, the French would return to build Fort St. Louis atop Starved Rock for its strategic position.
More than 13 miles of trails allow access to rain-fed waterfalls, sandstone overhangs, and spectacular overlooks.
The Starved Rock Visitor Center is open year-round, and the 1930s-era stone and log Starved Rock Lodge offers luxury lodging, cabin rooms, and fine dining.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois State Board of Elections said it is “reviewing” a letter it received from the Department of Justice — a letter that is a thinly veiled threat to prosecute them for allegedly allowing noncitizens to vote.
The letter, addressed to Executive Director Bernadette Matthews, comes from the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ. It does not make any specific allegations that noncitizens are registered to vote in Illinois, and it does not allege that Matthews or anyone else is doing something illegal.
Instead, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who signed the letter, said the letter serves as a “notice of federal laws applicable to state and local officials,” citing multiple laws that make only citizens of the United States eligible to vote.
However, Dhillon also mentioned laws that make it a criminal offense for not only noncitizens to register to vote and actually cast a ballot, but also for election officials to “knowingly and willfully” allow it to happen.
“Any election officer, including the chief election officer of the state, who knowingly retains noncitizens on the state’s voter registration list or facilitates noncitizens in receiving and casting ballots could be subject to criminal liability,” Dhillon said. “We encourage you to contact us to discuss what steps your state should take to maintain clean voter lists as required by law. The Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, would like to assist your state in complying with these federal laws.”
The letter appears to be part of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on what it alleges to be widespread voting by noncitizens. Every other state in the country, plus Washington, D.C., reportedly received similar letters.
The Illinois State Board of Elections confirmed to WCIA that it received the letter and provided a copy but could not comment on it besides to say officials are “reviewing” it.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (HEARTLAND NEWS) – Officials are reminding residents to take lightning safety seriously following a recent strike that sent a Franklin County man to the hospital.
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from the storm itself, whether you’re at the pool, lake or courts. Emergency management officials say the biggest mistake people make is waiting until the rain starts before heading inside.
“Lightning often strikes outside the area of the heaviest rainfall, and if you can hear thunder, you’re in danger,” said Brian Burgess, director of the Williamson County Emergency Agency.
Scott Radecki teaches tennis lessons at Herrin City Park and constantly monitors weather conditions as part of his outdoor job. He tracks weather on his phone, especially on days with uncertain conditions.
“I’ve had lessons later in the day, had to go back to Marion, drive to courts, a popup storm came, started raining, so it’s just kind of part of the job and you just try to deal with it the best you can,” Radecki said.
Burgess said people need to know where they’ll go if storms develop before heading outdoors. The National Weather Service says you need to stay inside a safe building for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder because all thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous.
If you’re caught outside and can’t immediately find shelter, stay away from isolated tall trees, towers and utility poles. If you are in a group of people, make sure you spread out.
Lightning can also be dangerous inside buildings as well.The National Weather Service says Electricity travels through anything that’s metal or any medium, including electronics.
“Lightning will travel through wiring and plumbing if your building is struck, so don’t take a bath or a shower or wash dishes during the storm,” Burgess said.
Official organizations like the CDC offer a simple reminder: when thunder roars, go indoors.
Copyright 2026 KFVS. All rights reserved.
Illinois
Illinois waives tax penalties for 11 counties hit by storms, including Stephenson and Winnebago
(WIFR/WREX) – Illinois leaders announce disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in 11 counties affected by severe thunderstorms earlier this year.
The relief waives penalties and interest for taxpayers who cannot file returns or make payments on time because of the severe weather. It covers income, withholding, sales, specialty and excise taxes.
The tax relief applies to any area included in Gov. JB Pritzker’s state disaster proclamation.
Locally, this includes Stephenson and Winnebago Counties. Other counties across the state included in the proclamation are:
- Coles
- Cook
- Effingham
- Jefferson
- Kankakee
- LaSalle
- McLean
- Warren
- Woodford
The proclamation covers severe weather in these counties between March 10 and June 21.
“In the wake of these devastating storms, my administration is ensuring that impacted residents and businesses have the support they need to recover,” Pritzker said. “By offering temporary tax relief to individuals and businesses in 11 counties, we’re giving impacted communities the time and breathing room necessary to focus on recovery.”
Individuals and businesses located in those counties qualify for state tax relief. Any counties added later will also be eligible, according to the governor’s office.
Taxpayers seeking a waiver of penalties and interest should send a brief written explanation to the Illinois Department of Revenue regarding why they cannot file timely or pay. They should provide their full name, account number, mailing address and an estimate of when they believe they can file or pay their taxes. If using a Social Security number, include only the last four digits.
Requests may be submitted electronically to REV.DisasterRelief@illinois.gov or by postal mail using the address on the return. When submitting by mail, taxpayers should write “Severe Storms – Summer 2026” at the top of the return in red ink and attach or include the explanation for requesting abatement of penalties and interest.
Taxpayers who have already been billed for penalties should email REV.DisasterRelief@Illinois.gov and provide their name, business name, account numbers and the periods for which they filed late due to the storms to request penalty abatement. Taxpayers should also include “Severe Storms – Summer 2026” in any communications with the department when requesting relief.
Property owners who experienced damage should contact their county supervisor of assessments if they wish to apply for reassessment due to any property damage. The Motor Fuel Use Tax is not included in this disaster tax relief.
Copyright 2026 WIFR. All rights reserved.
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