So beautiful! Feel like it's been AI, it's paradise. Great experience, what a sanctuary.read more

A wonderful and peaceful place to be if you want to get away from the bustle but not drive too far…read moreout of town. A must if you love great scenery and wide open spaces. Has about 5 miles of trails and recently they have added on off leash area for dogs, with plenty of room to run and play. The park itself is not as big as other forest preserves, but still big enough to be secluded and peaceful. The winding trails take you through heavily wooded areas and prarie areas... I come hear a lot to explore with my dog and go on walks with my fiance. Its nice!

Great park located around Yorkville with a few big lakes. It has lots of hiking trails. Silver…read moreSprings State Park gets its name from the pool of bubbling water. Of course, there's tons of other things to see around it. The popular activities include boating, fishing, and picnicking. Bigger park with a lot of history. It's an area that was purchased by the state in 1969 and turned into a park. The park was originally 1,250 acres, and added a prairie restoration project in 1980 among expansions since. Kind of what the land was like before settlers took it. There's a path that goes through it where visitors can check out animals, grass, and wildflowers. A few man made lakes are highlights. Loon Lake is the biggest one, popular for fishing or getting photos. A refreshment stand is located by it. The spring is the biggest attraction of the park though. Amazingly the water in it never freezes. There's amazing plantlife around it including watercress. Also fun when it's colder. There's a toboggan hill that's fairly steep. Among the kinds of trails are equestrian. There's also plenty for basic hiking. Has lots to look at here for hours and you can even stay overnight by camping. It's got an area that's available for youth groups. This area is only reachable through backpacking so it's far away from loud noises or vehicles.

Serene lake with a good 2-mile hike along lake, river, woods amd some prairie. It was a quiet…read moremid-day walk one snowy day... until I pass by a group of kids screaming and sledding along a slope, how fun :)

Wow what a beautiful Park here in Dekalb you can. Enjoy a…read moregorgeous river as you walk and giant trees and a walk way that will Lead you to NIU university going to the left Path way and if you go to the right you can play frisbee at the court to play with your friends or you can ride your bike, run have a pic nick.I like the park because is just in my back yard

Shabona Lake is a relaxing place to enjoy nature. It's nice to walk by the lake on the paved side…read morewalks & stop at the different picnic tables & benches for just a little rest or bring a picnic to enjoy ... sunny or shadey options. Also WheelChair friendly!

Tried to make reservations online but because I'm within 72 hours I must do walk in 1st come 1st…read moreserve. I showed up to camp and found out the park has different rules than idnr or the reservation website and do not allow walk in for prime sites. All sites not registered online must sit empty. So my family was turned away, the site along with many other prime sites are going to sit empty all weekend. I even offered to pay double and I spoke to the deputy director of the park. Sad to see the park turning away money over a 72 hour online only policy

This park is especially good for young children from 1-5 years old. There are not many parks that…read morehave this many things to do for this age range (especially the 1-3 year olds) so I was very excited about it. There were many toys that made noises, rocking horses, a large green dome with holes, and a smaller playground with slides. They are still fundraising to build a playground for children 5-12 years old. Once that playground is built I'm sure it will be even more of a hit for families. That said there are features that the 5-12 year olds will like! Two large slides, an obstacle to climb on, and a glider swing. There are also several walking trails. My son loved this park! We will definitely be back.

Finally a park designed for kids with Autism or special needs. Great for all kids but this one is…read moredesigned for there safety. There so much to do that you can spend hours here. There is plenty of shade as well. The park is very hidden but if you see the horses head your in the right spot. There is a bit of a walk to get there but you'll be amazed once you reach the park. Plenty of spots for strollers and they have larger porta potti's. There are two playgrounds that are for older kids that I wouldn't recommend for kids 3 and under but everything else the younger kids can do.

We had a little extra time on a chilly fall day and decided to check out Lippold Park because the…read moreplayground looked interesting. There is a climbing teepee (at least that's what it looks like), a seesaw, and several play areas not necessarily suitable for toddlers. There's a great little boardwalk area where you can see beavers, ducks, and other wildlife. There's also a bike path running in front i f the park with tons of parking. There's also a nice raised deck area with several picnic tables where you could enjoy a snack or meal and the nice view.

Such a cool park, I didn't even know this park was here. My sister and I decided to take our 6 kids…read morehere (ages 2-12). We hit up the obstacle course first, which all the kids enjoyed. Next we walked over to the pond area where we saw an otter, deer, frogs, turtles, and lots of tadpoles. Just about a 10 minute walk up the trail is red oak nature center, so we did that next. Lippold park has really nice bathroom and facilities. We will be back!

Entertaining for all ages! Took my step daughter (5/6 year old) and husband here one summer…read moreafternoon. Clean, updated and a blast for all 3!

I was trying to find a new good playground to go with 2 year old, and I did!…read moreThis's a wonderful place for kids all ages! Like this playground!

Pretty trails. I highly recommend downloading the all trails app when hiking here. The trails were…read morenot marked that well. Plenty of parking and various picnic tables around as well.

Growing up not far from the Starved Rock State Park I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to gorgeous…read moreparks but Castle Rock is nice if you are in the area. The lookout portion is on the side closer to the river and there are some paths & picnic areas there. Across the road is the rest of the park with several prairie and some wooded walking/hiking paths and several picnic areas both with and without shelters. There is a restroom in each of the picnic areas. There was a sand volleyball court and small baseball diamond there as well when we visited. The paths aren't too rugged in my opinion but the stairs up to the lookout point on the river could be challenging for some.

Matthiessen State Park is such a gem. The trails take you through gorgeous canyons, lush greenery,…read moreand peaceful streams that make you forget how close you are to the city. The waterfall views are the highlight and absolutely worth the hike in, especially when the sun hits the rocks and everything feels like a hidden escape. The trails are well marked and offer a good mix of easy walks and more adventurous climbs, so there is something for everyone. Even on a busier day you can still find quiet corners to enjoy the sound of the water and the view of the sandstone cliffs. If you enjoy hiking, photography, or just want a beautiful spot to reset in nature, this park is a must visit. Bring good shoes, some water, and be ready to take a ton of photos.

Fantastic place to hike and explore. Not too crowded and lots of space to wander and exploreread more

What a Huntley treasure! My seven and three-year-old spent two hours at this park without ever…read moreasking, "When are we leaving?" I take that as a win. We loved the basketball court with a variety of backboards, sand and water area, swings and rocking school bus. As another Yelper mentioned, the loud train whistle leaves something to be desired. Peace and quiet, if we're going to get specific. Tip: Do not perch yourself on the bench right next to the whistle. Big mistake. This park is worth a visit. The nearby pool looked great too. Maybe next time.

This is the best park in the Chicagoland area!! Keeps my toddler occupied for hours…read more Excavators with digging sand, instruments, slides, swings for adults and children. Running water for making sand castles. Bike paths, nice restroom facilities (for an outdoor park).