Nestled along the Illinois River in Marseilles, Illini State Park is a serene hidden gem offering guests the perfect place to hold a picnic or family gathering. This 510-acre park boasts not only incredible views of the river, but also 100+ picturesque campsites, a boat ramp for easy river access and ample places for anglers to fish for crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish.
Be sure to pay Illini a visit in Winter, when the park’s ice skating pool has frozen over, and the large sledding hill is covered in snow. During this season, you can also cross-country ski on the park’s flat graded trails, then warm-up in their cozy shelter. During the Fall, the park’s a birder’s paradise, attracting scores of migrating songbirds like Vireos, Warblers and Thrushes.
You’ll also find The Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial, a unique living monument celebrating the lives of the soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. This site feature over 250 Oak Trees spread across a 2.5 acre plot of land.