The Prairie State may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean it lacks shorelines and beaches. With nearly 3,000 lakes, there are plenty of places to enjoy some time at, in, or on the water. If you’re looking for a slice of paradise with a lake and beach in the Prairie State, you can find it at Lake Glendale Recreation Area in Southern Illinois.
Located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers a beautiful and serene place to connect with nature. Due to its central location, visitors can easily visit several other natural attractions in the area from here, as well. However, this preserve offers so much that you may not want to leave!
Travis Etherton/Google
The 82-acre Lake Glendale is a pristine slice of paradise surrounded by hardwood forests and towering pine trees.
Judy Taylor/AllTrails
At this serene lake and surrounding recreation area, visitors can go hiking, biking, camping, fishing, swimming, and boating. It’s a wonderful place to connect with nature year-round.
Cindy DeWitt Hagan/AllTrails
The beach at Lake Glendale is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The stretch of sand is the perfect place to relax when you’re not swimming in the crystal clear waters or enjoying time boating out on the water.
Lake Glendale Recreation Area/Facebook Paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes can be rented at the beach when it’s open.
If you wish to go hiking, there is a 2.9-mile loop trail that circumnavigates the lake. The trail is mainly flat the entire way, so you can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy lake views the entire way.
Clay Childers/AllTrails
For those who would like to spend more than a day here, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers 34 campsites with water and electricity along with 25 primitive sites. Several campsites offer views of the lake.
Grant Twiss/Google
If you enjoy fishing, you’ll find a variety of fish here like bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and bluegill. The peaceful, serene waters of Lake Glendale are just perfect for both relaxing and recreation!
Samuel Romero/AllTrails
Travis Etherton/Google
Judy Taylor/AllTrails
Cindy DeWitt Hagan/AllTrails
Lake Glendale Recreation Area/Facebook
Paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes can be rented at the beach when it’s open.
Clay Childers/AllTrails
Grant Twiss/Google
Samuel Romero/AllTrails
Have you visited Lake Glendale, a pristine paradise in Illinois? Let us know in the comments! For more information, visit the Lake Glendale Recreation Area website and Facebook page. Don’t forget to join our Illinois Nature Lovers Facebook group to connect with nature enthusiasts like yourself!
Read about another pristine lake you may enjoy visiting, Little Grassy Lake, in this article.
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Address: Lake Glendale Recreation Area, Lake Rd, Golconda, IL 62938, USA
