Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park is a protected area that stretches along Lake Michigan and contains sand dunes, marshes, and oak forests. The terrain displays different plant communities that naturally occur in this coastal zone.

The park was established in 1948 and preserves the last remaining beach ridge shoreline in Illinois. These natural coastal formations are exceptional for the state.

The park functions as a place where visitors can learn about coastal ecosystems through interpretive programs and natural history displays. The trails and beach areas allow people to experience and understand these habitats firsthand.

The park offers campsites with electrical connections, multiple hiking trails, swimming areas, and fishing spots along the shore. The busiest season runs from May through September, when reservations are advisable.

Dead River flows through the property but regularly forms a natural dam at its mouth. This blockage creates a special marsh habitat with plant species that thrive only under these conditions.

Location: Lake County

Inception: 1948

Operator: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Address: Lake Front Drive

Phone: +18476624811

Website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/AdelineJayGeo-KarisIllinoisBeach.aspx

GPS coordinates: 42.41720,-87.81170

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:25