Illinois is rich in state parks for field trips. All types of outdoor activities are available, including skiing, hiking, fishing, camping, boating and wildlife viewing. Groups of 25 or more visiting state parks to picnic or frolic must register with the site office ahead of time. Pets must be on leashes, and one adult must be with each group of 15 minors. read more
RVing is a great way to travel the country and enjoy the great outdoors without giving up the creature comforts of home. Maneuvering an RV in state park campgrounds can be challenging because many are not designed to handle large RVs. Starved Rock State Park offers RVers the ability to camp within park boundaries and enjoy their RVing experience. read more
El Paso is a city located in the midwestern state of Illinois (in the central part of the state). It is situated in both Woodford and McLean Counties. The city has a population of almost 3,000 people. For those planning on either visiting or traveling through this small Illinois city, there are several hotels in the area. There are various parks to engage in… read more
Litchfield Illinois, is known for Lake Lou Yeager. Lake Lou Yeager is 1,500-acre lake surrounded by a 500-acre park. There are campsites, boating areas, fishing sites, areas for skiing, swimming, picnics, and playgrounds. Lake Lou Yeager also has walking trails, biking trails, and miles of horseback riding paths. American Bald Eagles are also reported to h… read more
There is no federal law concerning bicycle helmets. States, cities and counties may pass their own laws. Currently Illinois does not have a law requiring helmets, but there is a move to create one. Several cities have such laws. read more
Trade shows help participants find out what is new in their fields. Boat and fishing shows highlight the newest models in pleasure and workboats and the gear used to fish both on land and on the sea. There are several high-profile boat… read more
Whether you just started running or have a few marathons under the belt, a running club can help you meet new friends, training partners or run routes. Running clubs also provide a great opportunity for community involvement by volunte… read more
The state of Illinois provides a multitude of year-round activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Those activities include skiing, hiking, boating, swimming and much more. Thankfully, you will not have to travel far from your outdoor des… read more
McLean County, located in the center of Illinois, is the largest county in the state and an Abraham Lincoln heritage site. The metropolitan center of the county is Bloomington-Normal, the corporate home of State Farm Insurance and Coun… read more
Zion, Illinois, is located between Chicago and Milwaukee, near the shores of Lake Michigan. Driving time to Chicago or Milwaukee is about an hour. The city has a population under 30,000 but boasts several must-do outdoor activities, in… read more
Situated within 25 miles of Chicago and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Munster is near a metropolis and also close to the boating, fishing and hiking activities of the Indiana dunes. With a population of 24,000, Munster's histor… read more
Just minutes from the Illinois state line and a short drive east to Indianapolis, Marshall, Ind., is centrally located to cities, forest, parks, lakes and streams. Whether one is looking for an outdoor adventure with kayaking and fishi… read more
Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, is near Kenosha and the Illinois state line. The region has many lakes and rivers and is known for fishing, water-skiing and cross-country skiing. In summer, there are water-skiing shows where groups gather to wa… read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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