Visit Spring Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area and explore its hiking trails, which run the gambit from bluff-top oak-hickory forests to bottomland silver maple-cottonwood. If hiking isn't on your itinerary, the lake's extensive shoreline is perfect for fishing, bird watching, or just plain relaxing. Between December and February, Bald Eagles flock to the river and in Pekin are truly celebrated with the annual Pekin main Street's Eagle Census Festival.

2. Dirksen Park #1 Dirksen Park Road, Pekin, IL 61554 This 459-acre site is comprised of oak-hickory forest and open shrubland. An extensive hiking/mountain biking/cross country t...Read Details
GPS: 40.60447, -89.60500 Map It! Site Access: free	Phone: (309) 353-4319 Area: Pekin
4. Fort Crevecoeur Park 301 Lawnridge Drive, Creve Coeur, IL 61610 Fort Crevecoeur Park commemorates French explorer Robert Rene Cavalier de LaSalle's presence here on the east bank of the Ill...Read Details
GPS: 40.64469, -89.60593 Map It! Site Access: free; fee for camping, (apr 1- oct 31); hrs: dawn to dusk (apr 1 - dec 31)	Phone: 309-694-3193 Area: Pekin
5. Independence Park #1 Independence Park Road, Marquette Heights, IL 61554 Once used as a proving ground for Caterpillar Inc., this 340-acre site is showing excellent signs of recovery. A major positi...Read Details
GPS: 40.61998, -89.60250 Map It! Site Access: free; hrs: 6am-10pm	Phone: (309) 353-4319 Area: Pekin
7. Lavender Creek Farms 32379 State Rt 9, Mackinaw, IL 61755 This 10-acre all-organic farm is owned and operated by Ruth Hertzfeldt, who planted the farm's first lavender crop in the spr...Read Details
GPS: 40.52764, -89.31760 Map It! Site Access: free; reservations required	Phone: 309-259-5555 Area: PEKIN
8. Mackinaw Valley Vineyard 33633 IL Route 9, Mackinaw, IL 61755 What started as a dream in the spring of 1997 has developed into a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of today's hect...Read Details
GPS: 40.528628, -89.293218 Map It!	Phone: (309) 359-9463 Area: PEKIN
11. McNaughton Park #1 McNaughton Park Road, Pekin, IL 61554 McNaughton Park's 850 acres contain some of the most impressive specimens of white oak in the entire Illinois River Valley. T...Read Details
GPS: 40.60426, -89.59933 Map It! Site Access: free, fee for equestrian stable (apr 1- nov 15)	Phone: (309) 353-4319 Area: Pekin
12. Mendenhall Park Wetland Area Mendenhall Road, Bartonville, IL 61607 A pleasant surprise located just off the byway, Mendenhall consists of a complex of wetland pools separated by groves of bott...Read Details
GPS: 40.615353,-89.652514 Map It!	Phone: (309) 633-2064 Area: PEKIN
16. Spring Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area 7982 South Park Road, Manito, IL 61546 Once the main channel of the Illinois River, Spring Lake is now geologically classified as a "meander scar," an abandoned cha...Read Details
GPS: 40.44281, -89.89162 Map It!	Phone: 309-968-7135 Area: Pekin
17. Tante Park 5774 Broadway, Pekin, IL At 40 acres, Tante Park is one of the quietest and most secluded of Pekin's natural area parks. Its Woodland Wildflower Trail...Read Details
GPS: 40.56799, -89.52054 Map It! Site Access: free; hrs: 6am - 10pm	Phone: (309) 353-4319 Area: Pekin