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Copied from Illinois state parks

The Illinois state park system comprises 309 state parks and recreational areas, across nearly 500,000 acres of land. The parks’ forests total about 12% of Illinois land area, and are home to many forms of wildlife, as well as more than 250 species of trees.

The parks conserve the natural landscape and biodiversity of Illinois, as well as provide many opportunities for both conservation and recreation. The parks feature plenty of hiking trails and camping spots, as well as lakes for boating and fishing. The conservation areas provide visitors with the opportunity to observe the wildlife. Most parks are open year-round, where visitors can enjoy them during all seasons.

History
In Illinois, the park system began in the early twentieth century, where Jens Jensen, a landscape architect who designed parks near Chicago, spearheaded the development of nature preserves in northeast Illinois. As a result of Jens’ work, there was a rapid growth of interest in these preserves, particularly walking trips through these locations. To manage the growing number of visitors to these sites, the Prairie Club was formed. In 1908, Fort Massac was established as the first state park in illinois. Shortly afterwards, Starved Rock was designated as a state park through legislation pushed by the Prairie Club, as well as advocacy from visitors. In the following years, more areas would be designated parks, in which the purpose of preservation would evolve over time. The first state parks were established to preserve their history; starved rock was originally established as a park to preserve its French and Native American heritage. Later, the idea of recreational and scenic parks became popular, with the intent on providing spaces for residents to enjoy the outdoors. Between the 1930s and the early 1940s, recreational structures such as lodges, picnic stations, and bridges were added to these parks. Shortly afterwards, an interest in water-related activities, such as boating and fishing increased, which led to a program that rehabilitated existing parks and created artificial lakes in the 1940s.

Regions of Illinois
Illinois is separated into several distinct regions, containing parks with their own characteristics. These areas vary in terms of wildlife and landscapes, as well as histories and the recreational interest they serve. Below is a list of the regions in Illinois and the descriptions of some state parks; it is not exhaustive.

Northwest Illinois
Northeast Illinois features prairies and beaches along Lake Michigan, as well as bogs and lakes formed by glaciers. The area is also diverse in plant life; nearly 700 plant species live along Lake Michigan on the beaches.

Apple River Canyon State Park Apple River Canyon State Park is a large park that is located near the border of Wisconsin and Illinois. It spans about 300 acres, and features a variety of landforms created by erosion: limestone cliffs, ravines and hills. This park also provides many recreational activities for users, including camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking.

Argyle Lake State Park
Argyle Lake State Park is located between Galena and Beardsstown, as is characterized by its rugged landscape and biodiversity, with over 200 species of birds and population of beavers. This park spans 1700 acres, and features the 90-acre Argyle Lake.

Delabar State Park
Delabar State Park is located near the border of Illinois and Mississippi, which settles along the river. This park features many recreational opportunities for visitors, much of which is focused on leisurely and active recreation such as picnicking and hiking. This park is also made up of oak, hickory, and birch trees, and spans 89 acres.

Castle Rock State Park
Castle Rock State Park is famous for its natural sandstone formations, and features unique recreational opportunities for its visitors. The campground is only accessible by water, and the park provides spaces to canoe. VIsitors can participate in other activities, such as fishing, hunting, and picnicking. This state park spans nearly 2,000 acres.

Jubilee State Park
Jubilee State Park is located near Peoria, and it features horsebacking, hiking trails, and camping. The park spans 3200 acres, and features sunflower fields that are best viewed over the summer.

Illini State Park
Illini State Park is located south of the Illinois river, and features a diverse population of birds. Visitors are able to picnic at this park.

Matthiessen State Park
Matthiessen State Park is notable for its sandstone canyons; they are nearly 500 million years old. This park features the Cascade Falls, as well as a diverse range of woodland flowers and hundreds of bird species over its nearly 2,000 acres of land.

Mississippi Palisades State Park
The Mississippi Palisades State Park features landforms carved by erosion, and is located along the Mississippi river. This park features a wide variety of wildlife, especially birds.

Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park is comprised of 1150 acres of woodland, and features a large animal population, which include various game birds and mammals, such as foxes, deer, and rabbits.

Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park is located near Rockford, and boasts a wide range of summer and winter recreational opportunities across its 3,100 acres of land. Visitors are able to fish, camp, and swim during the summer, and ski during the winter.

Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park is known for its rugged terrain, which is comprised of canyons and cliffs, as well as its abundance of waterfalls. Hiking, picnicking, and camping are popular activities at this park.

White Pines Forest State Park
White Pines Forest includes a large forest with white pine trees, and also limestone cliffs. Visitors are able to drive through the Pine Creek.

Northeast Illinois
Northeast Illinois features prairies and beaches along Lake Michigan, as well as bogs and lakes formed by glaciers. The area is also diverse in plant life; nearly 700 plant species live along Lake Michigan on the beaches.

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park spans 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan, and features a wild variety of environments, such as sand dunes, marshes, and oak savannas, and diverse plant and animal life. The park’s shoreline is the only one in the state.

Chain’O Lakes State Park
Chain’O Lakes State Park is located between 3 lakes, and the Fox river, and spans over 6000 acres. This park allows visitors to hunt and fish, but recreational activities are also popular.

Channahon State Park
Channahon State Parks features the trailhead for the I & M Canal State Trail. This site also includes several historical structures, which are the canal lock-tender’s house and two canal locks.

Gebhard Woods State Park
Gebhard Woods State Park is located along the I & M canal, and is frequented by visitors for recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, and paddling.

James Pate Philip State Park
James Pate Philip State Park is focused on conservation; it contains a variety of environments, such as grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands, which were restored. At this park, visitors are able to hike and picnic.

Kankakee River State Park
Kankakee River State Park is popular with its visitors for its variety of recreational activities.

William G. Stratton State Park
Wiliam G. Stratton State Park is a small park spanning 7 acres, and is mostly used by boaters and anglers.

Cave-In-Rock State Park
This park features a large cave that was used as headquarters by outlaws in the 19th century. This park is used for recreational activities.

South Illinois
South Illinois is a region that is characterized by its swamps, wooded areas, and rock formations, It is also historically significant, as it features Fort Massac, which was used during multiple wars.

Beall Woods State Park
Beall Woods State Park is home to over 60 tree species across its 635 acres of land, and features scenic trails.

Dixon Springs State Park
Dixon Springs State Park is visited for its rock landforms and streams.

Ferne Clyffe State Park
Feren Clyffe State Park features the largest shelter bluff in southern Illinois, and a waterfall.

Fort Defiance State Park
Fort Defiance State Park is a popular destination for picnicking, and has a tower than overlooks the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park has a military history that extends beyond the Revolutionary War, and features a wide variety of recreational activities, such as trails, a museum, and a golfing course.

Giant City State Park
Giant City State Park features sandstone landforms that are hundreds of millions of years old.

Lake Murphysboro State Park
Lake Murphysboro State Park features a manmade lake on its 1000 acres, as well as woodland and a diversity of wild orchids.

Red Hills State Park
Red Hills State Park spans over 900 acres of forest and meadows, and offers many recreational activities for visitors.

Pyramid State Park
Pyramid State Park is Illinois’ largest park, with over 19,000 acres of land. There are many hunting opportunities at this park.

West Central Illinois
West Central Illinois is bordered by the Mississippi river, with the Illinois river cutting through it as well. This area is popular for recreational activities.

Beaver Dam State Park Beaver Dam State Park features various recreational activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. The park spans 750 acres.

Horseshoe Lake State Park
Horseshoe Lake State Park was formerly the home of Native Americans who built the Cahokia Mounds, and currently offers various recreational activities on its 2850 acres.

Nauvoo State Park
Nauvoo State Park features a manmade fishing lake and trails, as well as hunting. The park is 1202 acres.

Siloam Springs State Park
Siloam Springs State Park is characterized by its forests and wildflowers, and is popular for hunting.