Illini State Park, State park along Illinois River in LaSalle County, US
Illini State Park is a roughly 500-acre natural area with thick forests of hickory, ash, walnut, elm, cottonwood, oak, and maple trees along the Illinois River. Multiple picnic areas, shelters with fireplaces, playgrounds, and campsites with electrical hookups and sanitation facilities are spread throughout the grounds.
The park was officially dedicated in 1935 with buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. These structures built by that work program remain visible throughout the grounds today.
The name comes from the Native American tribes who lived on this land before European arrival. Today, the park preserves the connection between people and the river landscape they once knew.
The park sits right along the river with easy access and plenty of parking near the main areas. Trails and grounds vary in condition depending on the season and weather, so visitors should come prepared for muddy or uneven terrain.
The grounds border a barge canal from the 1920s where large cargo vessels pass through the Marseilles Locks. Visitors can watch these big ships navigate through from various spots in the park.
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