Love Those State Parks!

@DennisinPeoria :
These just keep getting better. Illinois has some OUTSTANDING parks. Thanks, Dennis.

Years ago, when we went camping, we stopped at a lot of these parks. When people stop taking care of things, it really takes a toll on these places.

It is not a state park, but it sure is a local gem that is now part of the Peoria Park District. Just a few shots of a local treasure, Rocky Glen located off Creek Road. Haven't been there for several years, pre-PPD.

@DennisinPeoria
The "odd man out" state park to complete the trifecta up in Utica with Starved Rock and Matthiessen is Buffalo Rock. While it isn't as scenic as the two aforementioned it does offer a few cool amenities. A. Buffaloes. B. The hiking trail runs along the river bluff. At its eastern terminus you can view a fairly cool phenomenon: The Illinois River splits forming an island and there are two lakes on that island. The lakes are fed by the Illinois River, though.

@AntiRanchDrssng :
We did drive to the park, but buffalo weren't out. It was late in the afternoon, and we didn't know how long those trails were to get to the overlooks. We did quite a bit of trail walking at Matthiessen and Starved Rock over two days.

@DennisinPeoria :
Glad you did this. If you ever are looking for another state park trifecta that isn't too bad of a drive, and they are close to each other, check out Lowden/Castle Rock/White Pines. Lowden has the statue of Chief Black Hawk overlooking the Rock River. dnr.illinois.gov/par ks/park.lowden.html I hiked from the river up to it which was challenging, not because of the climb but because the trail wasn't in very good condition You can also almost drive up to it. Castle Rock is down stream a bit and has a staircase that ends up with an awesome view of the Rock river Valley....it is like overlooking the Illinois River from Grandview Park (but the Rock isn't as impressive as the Illinois). White Pines has some neat features: one is that you can drive through the creek a few times going through the park. Or you can walk and take the footpath bridges.

Has anyone visited Moraine View State Park? I've always been curious about it; evidently not curious enough to stop though.

@PeoriaIllinoisan :
It has been about 20 years since I've been there. Fishing was good. Camping was a bit crowded.

@AntiRanchDrssng : I don't fish or camp. Are there interesting geological features or whatnots to explore?

@PeoriaIllinoisan :
Not really that I remember. It is pretty well known in the area as a pretty good fishing lake.

One Illinois State Park I'd like to visit
is Cave-in-Rock clear in Southern Illinois along the Ohio River.