Illinois River Forks State Park

Illinois River Forks State Park sits where the east and west branches of the Illinois River meet, surrounded by forested ridges and river bottoms. The grounds include a reserved picnic shelter accommodating 50 people, restrooms, and a 9-hole disc golf course.

Land acquisition for this site began in 1961, with an 80-acre lease from the Bureau of Land Management following in 1962. Margaret McGee later expanded the park, shaping its current boundaries.

The river got its name from the Althouse brothers, prospectors who arrived from Illinois in 1849. Visitors today can still sense the mining heritage embedded in the landscape around them.

The park is open during daylight hours and provides sheltered picnic areas and restrooms. Wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain and pathways can be uneven.

The Illinois Valley within the park supports rare plant species found nowhere else in the region. These specialized growing conditions create a living laboratory for botanical diversity.

Location: Jackson County

Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=71

GPS coordinates: 42.15680,-123.65800

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:24