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eyond 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 ST. • 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.

CATLIN PARK

2560 EAST 1251ST ROAD OTTAWA This 333-acre park offers fourteen distinct trails that run past streams, ponds and Calin’s lush river valley vegetation. If you’re a fan of horseback riding, Catlin has some of the best trails in the area for riding. Open May through November.

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 ravien system, expansive prairie, natural woodlands and a pioneer cemetery.

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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

N a tu r e W a l k

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 RD • 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 nonrockhounds, it’s also a popular hunting destination during deer season.

RIVERWALK & FOX RIVER PARK

MARILLA PARK RD • STREATOR

1025 ONTARIO STREET OTTAWA

Located in Streator, Marilla Park features miles of densely wooded trails, perfect for mountain biking enthusiasts and avid trail runners. Built and maintained by members of the Central Illinois Cycling Association, this is a hidden gem for cyclists, located less than a half hour south of Starved Rock State Park.

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, 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.

MCPHEDRAN PARK

SANDY FORD NATURAL AREA

OAKWOOD AVE. • OGLESBY This pet-friendly park features a fishing pond and pier. You’ll also find a 1/3 mile long walking track,

1399 NORTH 18TH ROAD STREATOR

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.

SHABBONA COUNTY PARK 4178 CO HWY 22 | EARLVILLE

This park, located in rural Earlville, features picnic areas, open fields, rentable shelters and fishing ponds and the beautiful Indian Creek. While you’re there, be sure to learn about the tragic history of this tranquil park at the historical marker located near the entrance.

SNYDER 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 EAST 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!

The 200-acre Sandy Ford Preserve,

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3/27/20 4:28 PM