Hidden Beautiful places in Illinois

[SpineyNorman]

Mathiessen State Park near Utica/LaSalle/Peru has some very nice canyons to hike.

[cdaleplanner]

Panthers Den in Southern Illinois is a great place. Just south of the Blue Sky Winery as well, so you can enjoy a glass or two of wine after a long hike.

[BP11]

Starved rock near chicagoland is amazing.

[apocalypsebrewer]

grew up about 3 miles from Starved Rock and never appreciated it until much later in life. Now I live about 20 miles from there and make it a point to go there at least a few times a year. It's an amazing place.

[sudsmcgee]

Originally Posted by Intense-Dakota

Matthiessen state park (near Starved Rock) is awsome. The best part of this place is the caves and the waterfall near the end of the canyon.

+1. I mountain bike there as well and it's a very unique area. It has very similar topography of Starved Rock in Utica.

Here is a map if you wish to bike/hike there: http://cambr.org/SMF/index.php?actio....0;attach=3229

[johnboy]

Starved Rock

[Urination]

Galena is a great place! We like to go in the fall. Route 20 is beautiful with all the trees and hills in when the leaves change. Krape park in Freeport is also nice.

[neatguy13]

Some may disagree, but the Chain O' Lakes is gorgeous. Avoid the weekend warriors and go during the week. Rent a boat, float, open a few brews and relax.

[wookiee]

Originally Posted by neatguy13

Some may disagree, but the Chain O' Lakes is gorgeous. Avoid the weekend warriors and go during the week. Rent a boat, float, open a few brews and relax.

Agreed, I lived on Lake Marie. We rented pontoon boats for parties, swimming & fishing. During the winter, one can ice skate for days all around the frozen lakes.

[awakefie]

The drive from Rockford to Rock Falls on 2 is very scenic. The drive takes you right through a few state parks. It makes a great motorcycle ride.