Indiana Dunes
Located one hour east (47 miles) in nearby Indiana, the Indiana Dunes offers guests a beautiful natural surrounding along the lake to escape from the rush of Chicago. Visitors can camp, swim, sunbath, hike and smelt fish. Fifty of the Dunes' 140 campsites have electricity. For larger parties, picnic shelters are available by reservation. In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski on the hiking trails.
Indiana Dunes
1600 North 25 E.
Chesterton, IN 46304
(219) 926-1952
http://in.gov
The Illinois Prairie Path
Beginning in nearby Forest Park, about 20 minutes west of downtown Chicago, the 55-mile Illinois Prairie Path links allows visitors to hike, bike, run and horseback ride through numerous western suburbs. Built on land formerly occupied by railroad tracks, the path takes visitors through forest preserves, municipal parks and to the Fox River. The path is directly linked to many other bike trails in DuPage, Cook and Kane County.
The Illinois Prairie Path
http://ipp.org
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
One hour north of Chicago (48 miles), Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park offers visitors the last stretch of undeveloped lakefront in Illinois. The beach covers over six miles and gives guests a mix of sandy beach and black oak forest. Visitors camp, bike on the trails, hike through the woods and swim in the lake. The park is open year-round and accepts reservations for select campgrounds.
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
1 Lake Front Drive
Zion, IL 60099
(847) 662-4811
http://dnr.state.il.us
