LaSalle County – it’s scenic, friendly, and brimming with all sorts of fun things to do. It boasts four state parks, fish and wildlife areas, and offers endless opportunities for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. So what are you waiting for? Come and join us!
State Parks
Starved Rock State Park
2668 East 875th Road
Oglesby
815-667-4726
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Starved Rock State Park Map
Voted the #1 attraction in Illinois, Starved Rock State Park is one of the premier publicly held natural areas in all of Illinois. The park has eighteen distinct canyons that were formed out of St. Peter sandstone by glacial melting and the Illinois River. Starved Rock State Park, Visitor Center, and Lodge offer a large variety of activities for you to enjoy, including self-guided and guided hikes, boating, camping, trolley tours, events, live shows, dining, shopping, and much, much more.
In Starved Rock, the majority of the canyons boast waterfalls, but the most popular can be found in St. Louis, French, Tonty, LaSalle, Ottawa, and Kaskaskia Canyons. Waterfalls in Starved Rock are seasonal and dependent upon precipitation. The best times to view waterfalls are in the spring and after heavy rainfall.
Matthiessen State Park
2500 IL Route 178
Oglesby
815-667-4726
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Matthiessen State Park Map
Matthiessen is a true gem in Illinois. The park’s beautiful rock formations, canyons, mineral springs, streams, seasonal waterfalls and icefalls, along with the Vermilion River running through the park, are a genuine delight for the senses. Adding to the grandeur of the main canyon is a 45-foot drop between the Upper and Lower Dell. There are five miles of hiking trails for leisure walks or brisk hikes to lead you to these spectacular spots.
Buffalo Rock State Park
1300 North 27th Road
Ottawa
815-433-2220
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Buffalo Rock State Park Map
Buffalo Rock is a 298-acre park on a bluff with trails and overlooks with magnificent views of the Illinois River. One of the most prominent displays of outdoor sculpture anywhere is at Buffalo Rock in a collection called the “Effigy Tumuli,” which was executed by artist Michael Heizer. It was inspired by Native American burial grounds that were once created thousands of years ago. The sculptures include a snake, turtle, catfish, frog, and water strider.
Buffalo Rock State Park has a variety of amenities and activities, including picnic areas, hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails, bird watching, canoeing, baseball diamond, and snowmobiling by way of the I&M Canal Access Point across the road from the park. Buffalo Rock also is home to two American bison that reside in the park across from the baseball diamond.
Illini State Park
2660 E 2450 Road
Marseilles
815-795-2448
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Illini State Park Map
With its abundant wildlife and bordering the Illinois River, Illini State Park was once home to the Illini Indian tribe. Today, LaSalle County birders mention this park as one of the best sites in the county for viewing migrating vireos, warblers, thrushes, and other songbirds in fall. Illini is a 510-acre park with a baseball field, a campground with 104 sites, and a boat ramp, along with areas for fishing, hiking, biking, and more. During the winter, you can trek the cross-country skiing trails and enjoy sledding on the hills. A shelter is available to warm up after hours of fun. At the far west end of the park stands a living monument, which celebrates the lives of soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial consists of 250 oak trees on 2.5 acres of land.
Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail
Rivaling the beauty of LaSalle County’s State Parks is a 96-mile state trail offering views for nature lovers, information for history buffs and action for sportsmen.
For Access In LaSalle County:
LaSalle: I&M Canal Lock #14 Access
Rt. 351/Joliet Street
Utica: Parking west of downtown on Canal Street/Dan Carey Park
Ottawa/Buffalo Rock: Access Dee Bennett Road
West Ottawa: Boyce Memorial Drive
East Ottawa: Fox River Park • Park in the lot on Superior Street.
Marseilles: Main Street and canal intersect
Seneca: Main Street and canal intersect
(815) 220-1848
canalcor.org
County Parks
Catlin County Park
2560 E 1251 Road
Ottawa
Catlin County Park is a 333-acre park acquired in 1970 by the LaSalle County Conservation District. The park’s well-organized trail system hosts fourteen distinct trails, plus numerous connecting trails. These trails course throughout the park’s habitat, which includes its various streams and ponds. The park’s horse trails are also recognized as some of the best trails in the area. Open May through November.
Shabbona County Park
4178 Co Hwy 22
Earlville
Picnic areas, open fields, fishing ponds, and several shelters–many with electricity–are featured at this county-owned park on the banks of Indian Creek. The 21st century tranquility sharply contrasts with the violent clash of cultures that earned the park its place in American history. The park is named for the Potawatomi Chief Shabbona who tried to protect the white settlers. Open May – October.
Other Parks
Beyond the borders of Starved Rock State Park, there’s even more exciting nature to explore in LaSalle County! Here are 14 other outdoor destinations you should be sure to visit on your next trip.
Allen Park
400 Courtney Street
Ottawa
A sprawling riverfront park, located on Ottawa’s Rt. 71 that offers boat launches, docks, a riverwalk, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic tables, toboggan run and an amphitheater.
Baker Lake
2700 Airport Road
Peru
Baker Lake Park offers fishing, picnicking, playground, shelters, restrooms, soccer field and a 1-mile paved walking path.
Dayton Bluffs
2997 Route 71
Ottawa
Owned by The Conservation Foundation and managed by the City of Ottawa, this 253-acre preserve is one of LaSalle County’s newest parks. Winding along the bluffs of the Fox River for nearly a mile, this park features bubbling creeks, a beautiful ravine system, expansive prairie, natural woodlands and a pioneer cemetery.
Hopalong Cassidy River Trail & Canoe Launch
West Main Street, Route 18
Streator
This 0.5 mile trail parallels the flowing waters of the Vermilion River. Visitors can follow the trail through a forest of mulberry, hackberry, oak and maples. Blue jays, chickadees, and woodpeckers are frequent sights for birders, while butterflies and dragonflies are commonly found along the trail’s sunnier stretches.
Lake Kakusha
Route 251
Mendota
This man-made lake, located in northern LaSalle County, is ideal for fishing and light trail walking. You’ll find ample shelters and picnic areas.
Marilla Park
Marilla Park Road
Streator
This park is a 60-acre wooded park with fishing, hiking, and a six-mile mountain bike trail used for part of the Illinois State Championship Series.
McPhedran Park
Oakwood Avenue
Oglesby
This pet-friendly park features a fishing pond and pier. You’ll also find a 1/3 mile long walking track, complete with 6 work out stations. For the kids, there’s a playground with baby swings, regular swings and a pirate-themed jungle gym.
Mitchell’s Grove Nature Preserve
East 5th Road
LaSalle
This small park is something of a geological oddity, with its unique rock formations showing evidence of glacial gouging and boulder deposits from as far north as Canada. You’ll also find a winding creek, tall bluff outcroppings and some rare vegetation. For non-rockhounds, it’s also a popular hunting destination during deer season.
Riverwalk & Fox River Park
1025 Ontario Street
Ottawa
See the beauty of the Fox River from downtown Ottawa. You’ll find a paved walking path that runs from Fox River Park all the way to the downtown Downtown, where the Fox meets the Illinois River. At Fox River Park you’ll also find a splash pad, 9-hole disk golf course, playground, boat launch and an excellent fishing area.
Sandy Ford Natural Area
1399 North 18th Road
Streator
The 200-acre Sandy Ford Preserve, located just off of the Vermilion River, features two creeks, a floodplain forest, dry bluffland forest, hill prairies, sandstone cliffs and a selection of plants more commonly found in Wisconsin or Canada.
Snyder’s Grove Park
East 4th Road
Mendota
Located in Mendota, this 104-acre nature preserve features shelters, restrooms, picnic area and a playground. You’ll also find a small network of hiking trails.
Spring Lake Nature Area
1413 E 16th Road
Streator
Located 1.8 miles northwest of Streator, this 37+ acre park contains two creeks, a sandstone waterfall, an expansive large trail system, as well as some rare flora and fauna!