Starved Rock
The most popular rural attraction outside of Chicago is Starved Rock, which is 80 miles away from the city. This massive state park offers the most extensive hiking trails in northern Illinois. Canyons, waterfalls and forests prove the natural beauty of Illinois, and the Belle of the Rock paddleboat, kayak and canoe tours make the Starved Rock experience all the more quaint and charming.
Starved Rock Adventures
P.O. Box 2261
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
(815) 434-9200
www.starvedrockstatepark.org
Kankakee River
About an hour southwest of Chicago is the Kankakee River. This is a mighty river that flows through Jasper, Lake, Will and Kankakee counties. Catfish, northern pike, bass and walleye are plentiful at the Wilmington Dam, where fishermen come from all across the state to spend a summer day knee deep in the river, fishing away to their heart's delight.
Wilmington Dam Bait
123 Bridge St,
Wilmington, IL 60481
(815) 476-2729
Raging Buffalo
Illinois can't compete with the Rocky Mountains, but it can still offer a fun day of snowboarding or skiing. Raging Buffalo is located in Algonquin, Illinois, on the outskirts of the northwest Chicago suburbs. A great option for rural fun in the winter months, it also has a wakeboarding school that's used on the river during warmer times of the year. Raging Buffalo will rent out equipment if you don't bring your own.
Raging Buffalo
19N475 Rt. 31,
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 836-7243
www.ragingbuffalo.com
