Parks Near Chicago, Illinois
Escape the urban landscape with parks near Chicago, featuring stunning lakeshores, sand dunes, and scenic river valleys.
Popular Parks Near Chicago
Indiana Dunes National Park
50 miles from Chicago
4.5
National Park
Highlights:
- Lake Michigan beaches
- Sand dunes
- Diverse ecosystems
Starved Rock State Park
95 miles from Chicago
4.6
State Park
Highlights:
- Sandstone canyons
- Waterfalls
- Illinois River views
Matthiessen State Park
100 miles from Chicago
4.5
State Park
Highlights:
- Canyons
- Waterfalls
- Less crowded alternative
Popular Activities
- Beach activities
- Hiking
- Birdwatching
- Photography
- Cross-country skiing
Best Times to Visit
- Summer for beaches
- Fall for colors
- Spring for waterfalls
Driving Tips
- Avoid rush hour traffic leaving Chicago
- Indiana Dunes gets crowded on summer weekends
- Starved Rock parking fills early on weekends
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