Stretching 6.5 miles along the shores of Lake Michigan, Illinois Beach State Park offers a unique natural landscape with dunes, marshes, forests and diverse wildlife. As the state’s only remaining beach ridge shoreline, the park is home to more than 650 plant species, including vibrant wildflowers, as well as habitats like oak savannas and the marshy Dead River.

The 4,160-acre park features a wide range of recreation, including swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, picnicking and camping, along with access to the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center.

A campground in the South Unit offers 241 Class A Premium sites with electricity, showers and sanitary facilities. Camping permits are required upon arrival with a camping unit. Reservations are available through ExploreMoreIL for stays from May 1 through Sept. 30 and are recommended, especially on holiday weekends. Limited first-come, first-served sites are available, but campgrounds often fill early during summer. Three ADA-accessible campsites are located near accessible restrooms and a dump station.