For those of you who have been long-time readers, you know how we love to curate road trips! Today’s road trip will take you from Starved Rock State Park, which is considered the state’s best park, all the way down to the vast expanse of the Shawnee National Forest. So, gas up the car and head out on this scenic road trip through Illinois.
For your convenience, follow this interactive map and go ahead and add any additional stops along the way!
Google Maps
- Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby
Matthew Crowley Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images Considered Illinois’ best state park by Travel + Leisure, Starved Rock State Park is 2,630 acres of beauty. Filled with canyons, waterfalls, and plenty of scenery, you will fall in love with Starved Rock. If you want to spend the night, book a room at Starved Rock Lodge. (Pictured here is Kaskaskia Canyon and its waterfall.) Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
- Matthiessen State Park, Oglesby
Eddie J. Rodriquez / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images Located a few miles south of Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park is also worth a visit. It also happens to be a bit smaller and less crowded than Starved Rock, yet no less scenic. Stop here for a hike to take it all in! Visit the web page for more information. Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
- Grand View Drive, Peoria
Irina/TripAdvisor At just 2.5 miles, Grand View Drive in Peoria is short, sweet, and oh so scenic! Enjoy views of the Illinois River Valley as you drive along the bluffs. Read our previous coverage to learn more. Grandview Drive, Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL, USA
- Mineral Spring Park, Pekin
Management/TripAdvisor Mineral Spring Park in Pekin offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Within its 200 acres, you’ll find a bike trail, dog park, water park, minature golf course, a lagoon where you can go fishing and boating, and a whole lot more! It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon! Read our previous coverage to learn more. Pekin Park District, 1701 Court St, Pekin, IL 61554, USA
- Washington Park Botanical Garden, Springfield
Washington Park Botanical Garden/Google Take a stroll through this gorgeous botanical garden in Springfield for free! This urban oasis provides a tranquil and scenic place to escape. Over 1,200 plants and flowers can be found throughout the garden. Visit the Springfield Parks website for more information. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W Fayette Ave, Springfield, IL 62704, USA
- Shoal Creek Nature Conservation Area, Butler
Abigail Pagels/Google A hidden gem along this route, the 266-acre Shoal Creek Nature Conservation Area offers native hickory and oak woodlands. It’s also home to 700 plant species, as well as 70 butterfly species. There are two loop trails to enjoy the scenery at this preserve. Head to the Visit Litchfield website for more information. 1177 Yeagerlake Trail, Butler, IL 62015, USA
- Shawnee National Forest
Ed Reschke/Stone Collection via Getty Images Southern Illinois is an incredible place to explore, especially the 289,000-acre Shawnee National Forest. This area has so much to offer including the Pomona Natural Bridge, Garden of the Gods (pictured here), and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Shawnee National Forest, Illinois 62985, USA
Are you ready for this scenic road trip through Illinois? Let us know in the comments if you’ve been to any of these places before.
Google Maps
Matthew Crowley Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Considered Illinois’ best state park by Travel + Leisure, Starved Rock State Park is 2,630 acres of beauty. Filled with canyons, waterfalls, and plenty of scenery, you will fall in love with Starved Rock. If you want to spend the night, book a room at Starved Rock Lodge. (Pictured here is Kaskaskia Canyon and its waterfall.)
Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
Eddie J. Rodriquez / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images
Located a few miles south of Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park is also worth a visit. It also happens to be a bit smaller and less crowded than Starved Rock, yet no less scenic. Stop here for a hike to take it all in! Visit the web page for more information.
Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
Irina/TripAdvisor
At just 2.5 miles, Grand View Drive in Peoria is short, sweet, and oh so scenic! Enjoy views of the Illinois River Valley as you drive along the bluffs. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Grandview Drive, Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
Mineral Spring Park in Pekin offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Within its 200 acres, you’ll find a bike trail, dog park, water park, minature golf course, a lagoon where you can go fishing and boating, and a whole lot more! It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon! Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Pekin Park District, 1701 Court St, Pekin, IL 61554, USA
Washington Park Botanical Garden/Google
Take a stroll through this gorgeous botanical garden in Springfield for free! This urban oasis provides a tranquil and scenic place to escape. Over 1,200 plants and flowers can be found throughout the garden. Visit the Springfield Parks website for more information.
Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W Fayette Ave, Springfield, IL 62704, USA
Abigail Pagels/Google
A hidden gem along this route, the 266-acre Shoal Creek Nature Conservation Area offers native hickory and oak woodlands. It’s also home to 700 plant species, as well as 70 butterfly species. There are two loop trails to enjoy the scenery at this preserve. Head to the Visit Litchfield website for more information.
1177 Yeagerlake Trail, Butler, IL 62015, USA
Ed Reschke/Stone Collection via Getty Images
Southern Illinois is an incredible place to explore, especially the 289,000-acre Shawnee National Forest. This area has so much to offer including the Pomona Natural Bridge, Garden of the Gods (pictured here), and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
Shawnee National Forest, Illinois 62985, USA
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