Illinois Beach State Park

Illinois Beach State Park

dnr.illinois.gov
4/5
(192) · Park in Zion, United States
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To manage, conserve and protect Illinois' natural, recreational and cultural resources, further the public's understanding and appreciation of those …

Reviews

Tripadvisor
4.0/5 · 192 reviews
5-star
20%
4-star
35%
3-star
10%
2-star
25%
1-star
10%
Recent reviews
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Sep 9, 2024
This was a very nice and quiet free beach. I looked extensively for beaches on the north side. Most of the north suburban beaches require an admission fee as well as a parking fee. Many of the Norths…Full review by 734tracym
Sep 2, 2024
If you are looking for a quick day trip and live in northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin, Illinois Beach State Park makes for a relaxing day of hiking, sun, swimming, picnicking or wind/kite surfi…Full review by Pam D
Aug 19, 2024
We were anticipating a pleasant afternoon at the beach. I have lived and paid taxes in Illinois for 40+ years. Never have I been so disgusted and revolted by the appalling condition of one of our s…Full review by Carolyn D
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Questions & answers

Q:
Is there complete list or lists of plants - by their scientific names - that grow within Illinois Beach State Park? Please include …
Q:
Is there complete list or lists of plants - by their scientific names - that grow within Illinois Beach State Park? Please include in your answer links to them or the e-mail address of someone who could help me locate this. Thanks.
A:
There is a book which is out of print, but 11 copies are listed as available on Amazon. The book is "Plants of the Illinois Dunesland" by Elizabeth T. Dunn, 1982. This book has …
A:
There is a book which is out of print, but 11 copies are listed as available on Amazon. The book is "Plants of the Illinois Dunesland" by Elizabeth T. Dunn, 1982. This book has color pictures of the 175 most abundant plants of Illinois Beach State Park. A complete list would be much longer. The Illinois Natural History Survey states that 650 species of plants have been found at Illinois Beach State Park. Many plants there are rather rare and some are at the northern limit of their range (like Redbud) and some are near the Southern limit of their range (like Bearberry). The Indiana Dunes has a similar environment and a rather thorough list was made by Donald Culross Peattie in his book "Flora of the Indiana Dunes", 1930, published by the Field Museum (out of print, but a few copies are available on Amazon). Note that Peattie's book is helpful, but it uses typical technical botanical descriptions. If language like "lanceolate, bipinnate, scabrous, having achenes" is not familiar to you, then it takes some serious study to prepare to use his book. The web has diagrams and botanical classes on-line, so it is easier to acquire such knowledge today. To identify the plants today, the easiest way is to get the app, "iNaturalist" on your phone, press "Observe" to take a photo; the press "What did you see" and the program will show you pictures of its best appraisal of the plant (or animal, insect, lichen, etc.). Once you have a scientific name, enter that into Google and choose "Images" and you will likely see hundreds of color pictures of that species in different lighting, different seasons, maturity, etc. Note like anything on the web there are some errors as some people posted pictures with an incorrect identification. Overall though it is better than using any twenty plant ID books, as each book has only a few pictures. The technical descriptions are still useful, but the pictures allow a relative novice to jump ahead instead of having to learn the details of a botanical key system.
A:
Q:
Are there grills available for use? Can you make a campfire at your camp site?
A:
There are grills by the beach.
A:
Answer by Terri L · Oct 3, 2020
Q:
How was the cellphone signal?
A:
It was intermittent. If you depend on your phone, don’t go.
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Frequently asked questions

Q:
When can I hunt deer with a single-shot rifle in Illinois?
A:
Is effective Jan. 1, 2023. Until then, rifles (except muzzleloading rifles) may not be used to hunt deer. Specific information on when rifles will...
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Check in: Apr 27 · Check out: Apr 28

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