Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat Illinois state parks saw more visitors in 2024 than any point in the past 15 years, according to new data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Dogs are also allowed to camp, hike, swim and boat at state forests. Here’s the 11 state parks with pet-friendly cabins.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois state parks saw more visitors in 2024 than any point in the past 15 years, according to new data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois’ 290 ...

At 122 million visitors in 2023, including 2.1 million international tourists, Illinois is the leading tourism state in the Midwest and its spectacular views play a major role.

In 2022, state-run parks collectively welcomed 877 million visitors, Mr. McCormack said, compared with 332 million at the 433 N.P.S. sites.

I've traveled to all 50 states and love exploring the country's lesser-known state parks. Letchworth State Park in New York and Matthiessen State Park in Illinois have gorgeous waterfalls.

Illinois’ 290 state parks and 56 historic sites recorded more than 41 million visitors last year, which was the most in 15 years, following several significant capital projects to upgrade and ...