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 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 paying tribute to the Illinois service members who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. It serves as a site of remembrance, with over 250 white oak trees and individually inscribed bricks, in dedication to each of the fallen soldiers.