In southeaster Wisconsin, Kettle Moraine was formed when two massive glaciers collided over the area around 20,000 years ago. The Ice Age visitors center explains the history and hosts activities throughout the year. The 3.1-mile Butler Lake Trail is a great looped hike that’ll take you past some of the small lakes. Reserve campsites or cabins online.

The park contains three large natural lakes, seven other smaller lakes that make up the chain, and parts of the Fox River. There’s 488 miles of shoreline which means there’s plenty of fishing, swimming, and canoeing. Horseback riding is popular too, with the many trails and state park stable with seasonal riding opportunities. There are 230 campsites, three cabins, and a group campsite which can be reserved online.

Not only are there dunes, but sunken marshes, forests of oak, and savanna landscape. More than 650 species of plants have been found here including prickly pear cactus. Walk through the cattails, thin sedges, and big bluestem grasses to get to swimming beaches and hiking trails. There are campgrounds, but also the only hotel in Illinois right on Lake Michigan’s shoreline.

White Pines is one of the oldest state parks in Illinois and has one of the southern most forests of white pines in the Midwest. What’s unique about this park is the concrete fords submerged in the river—essentially underwater bridges it allows cars to drive straight through the creek or stop to observe wildlife. Plenty of space exists in the campground, but visitors can also stay at the White Pines Inn originally constructed in the 1930s. There are 16 cabins and a restaurant on site.

In Palos Preserves, one of the county’s forest preserves, visitors can rent boats and bikes, go fishing, and find easy hiking trails. This camp site is a little more manicured than other state parks and offers a camp store, indoor bathrooms and showers, and two educational centers. Reserve a campsite online.

Recently declared a national park, Indiana Dunes has long been a vacation spot for Chicagoans escaping the city. The beach getaway is a mix of tall grassy trails and sandy shores which can be easily accessed from the South Shore Line. Within the park, there are campsites but also seven small inns.

Wildlife abounds in the sea of grass: deer, coyote, red fox, cottontail rabbits, muskrat, badgers, and birds. Goose Lake Prairie represents a small part of the type of land that once covered most of the state. Most the park is protected as a nature preserve and gives a home to endangered birds like Henslow’s sparrow. Because of this, visitors can’t stay overnight (there are other options for lodging in Morris). Still, its a great day stop for picnics, long bike rides through the grasses, and leisurely hikes across the wooden walkway.

Starved Rock is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor recreation. The easy-to-hike trails are perfect for families, including dogs. Visitors can explore the parks 18 canyons, which are even more beautiful after a heavy rain causing waterfalls to flow. Stay in a 75-year-old log cabin or one of the campsites.

This park lines both Kankakee River shorelines for 11 miles. It’s an ideal place to be if your fishing, canoeing, hiking, or cycling. Choose from hundreds of campsites (although the Potawatomi and Chippewa campgrounds are currently closed).