Shabbona Lake State Park

Shabbona Lake State Park is a 1,550-acre recreational area featuring a 318-acre man-made lake surrounded by rolling prairie, wooded areas, and bottomland vegetation. The lake was created by damming Big Indian Creek and serves as the centerpiece of the park's landscape.

The lake was created in 1975 by damming Big Indian Creek, and the state park was formally established in 1978 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This relatively recent creation combines recreational development with ecological conservation.

The park and lake are named after Shabbona, a Potawatomi leader, honoring Native American heritage in the Illinois landscape. This connection to the region's past remains visible through the name that locals and visitors encounter today.

Visitors can use picnic areas, camping facilities, hiking trails, and fishing zones throughout the park. A strict no-wake policy for all boats protects the lake and creates a quieter experience for most visitors.

A dedicated 15-acre section of the park serves as seasonal nesting grounds for migratory waterfowl such as canvasback and pintail ducks. These birds choose this location because of the quiet water conditions protected by the no-wake policy.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1978

Website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/ShabbonaLake.aspx

GPS coordinates: 41.73944,-88.85222

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:25