Pretty trails. I highly recommend downloading the all trails app when hiking here. The trails were…read morenot marked that well. Plenty of parking and various picnic tables around as well.

Growing up not far from the Starved Rock State Park I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to gorgeous…read moreparks but Castle Rock is nice if you are in the area. The lookout portion is on the side closer to the river and there are some paths & picnic areas there. Across the road is the rest of the park with several prairie and some wooded walking/hiking paths and several picnic areas both with and without shelters. There is a restroom in each of the picnic areas. There was a sand volleyball court and small baseball diamond there as well when we visited. The paths aren't too rugged in my opinion but the stairs up to the lookout point on the river could be challenging for some.

Wow what a beautiful Park here in Dekalb you can. Enjoy a…read moregorgeous river as you walk and giant trees and a walk way that will Lead you to NIU university going to the left Path way and if you go to the right you can play frisbee at the court to play with your friends or you can ride your bike, run have a pic nick.I like the park because is just in my back yard

So beautiful! Feel like it's been AI, it's paradise. Great experience, what a sanctuary.read more

A wonderful and peaceful place to be if you want to get away from the bustle but not drive too far…read moreout of town. A must if you love great scenery and wide open spaces. Has about 5 miles of trails and recently they have added on off leash area for dogs, with plenty of room to run and play. The park itself is not as big as other forest preserves, but still big enough to be secluded and peaceful. The winding trails take you through heavily wooded areas and prarie areas... I come hear a lot to explore with my dog and go on walks with my fiance. Its nice!

Matthiessen State Park is such a gem. The trails take you through gorgeous canyons, lush greenery,…read moreand peaceful streams that make you forget how close you are to the city. The waterfall views are the highlight and absolutely worth the hike in, especially when the sun hits the rocks and everything feels like a hidden escape. The trails are well marked and offer a good mix of easy walks and more adventurous climbs, so there is something for everyone. Even on a busier day you can still find quiet corners to enjoy the sound of the water and the view of the sandstone cliffs. If you enjoy hiking, photography, or just want a beautiful spot to reset in nature, this park is a must visit. Bring good shoes, some water, and be ready to take a ton of photos.

Fantastic place to hike and explore. Not too crowded and lots of space to wander and exploreread more

A formers paradise for rail fans. The park has streets all around it so the horns tell you where…read moreit's coming from so you can't miss a shot. If you are into pictures or video this is a great place for you. Free wifi was an extra great feature of the park. There is a speaker that has some radio from rail operations but my scanner picked up much more so don't forget to bring yours. There is a built in grill if you want to have a cook out. The open air building had padded deck chairs and picnic tables and some built ins. There is a burn pit but I don't know if you can use it. Rail related items are on the property like trains. There is what looked like a gift shop by I didn't check it out. You can make a great family outing with the youngsters if you want. This is a great place for rail fans.

This is a great little treasure. Located about 75 miles west of Chicago (a straight shot out I-88),…read moreThe Rochelle Railroad Park has been built next to a railroad diamond crossing. It is a great spot to bring a lunch and hang out on a nice day if you happen to be train fans like we are. The warning bells ring, and the excitement builds, as the train whistle blows in the distance. As they pass, the ground shakes. It is impressive, even to a crusty old fart like me. The train engineers are really good about waving to kids (and adults) as the trains pass the viewing platform You can also hear radio communications between the trains and the dispatch center. All so cool!!!! On our first trip out to Rochelle, we went to meet up with one of our hobo friends. Since then we have returned just for the pure pleasure of train watching and sharing the experience with the folks who gather. There are usually some regulars who can fill you in on what is happening and then there are families. It is fun to see the thrill the kids experience as the trains roll by. Pack a picnic lunch and head out to the country for a really fun and unique experience!!!!

Have been here for my wife's family reunion the last 3 years. Great little park by the Rock River,…read morenice covered picnic area reserved for the family. We also got to play the 9 hole disc golf course. Short but still a fun challenge.

Before we left Dixon, my mon and I wanted to check out this place and it was definitely worth it…read more Once we got to the waterfront, it was beautiful. Clear water and a lot of parks. They also had metal bench swings overlooking the water and it was very pretty. I wish we spent more time there but the time we spent was very nice. Would be back soon. P.S. they have an frisbee golf so i definitely want to do that when I come back

Our family has been camping at White Pines for well over a decade. We enjoy it because it is clean,…read morequiet, and the camping sites are a good size and the hiking trails are fun. The only thing preventing me from giving five stars is that, during my last visit last weekend, it was obvious the pit toilets were not being cleaned/maintained well. I've used worse, but this was not up to par from my past experiences. I hope this was the exception and not how they are being kept now. Hoping to be back in 2024!

Friends had their nearby destination wedding here, it was lovely. Plenty of space, gorgeous…read moreoutdoors experiences, and the lodge was really beautiful. Camping experience was decent. Many guests camped in a reserved area, and some had cabins. I heard the bathrooms were not that great, but the space itself was nice. The wedding was held a bit down the road from the campgrounds in a lovely canyon. VERY beautiful! The reception was held at the lodge and served buffet style. The prime rib was the spotlight. It's a very quaint spot for weddings. The staff was very friendly and accommodating 6 stars to the staff! The day after the wedding, the lodge has a brunch buffet. The food is decent, but it's pretty pricey. I probably would not personally revisit it just based on the price for what you get, but it's understandable since it's the only dining option nearby as far as I could tell. I would love to visit this spot again for hiking and biking. A nice little getaway in the middle of nowhere Illinois.

Peaceful, contemplative spot to visit. Sinnissippi Site, Sinnissippi Park, Sterling, Illinois. U.S…read more National Register of Historic Places. The site contains several Hopewellian Indian Mounds built between 500 BC and 500 AD. There are several nice trails, playground, shelters with grills, and open spaces as well.