King’s Landing is located directly on the pristine waters of Rocks Springs Run, one of three main tributaries that feeds the Wekiva River Basin, a designated National Wild and Scenic River.  King’s Landing is located at 5722 Baptist Camp Road, in Apopka, Florida. For more information, click here.

Come explore the #1 kayaking run in Florida! Offering a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy, from self-guided rentals, adventure tours and even nightly escapes that will have you gazing under the stars. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in true Florida nature, wildlife around every paddle and emerald waters below.

There are 3 amazing ways to kayak and explore King’s Island. To see all 3 tour options, click here.

Choose a River Cruise, Land & Water Cruise with lunch or a “Visit a Canyon with a Boat Ride.” Attendees meet outside of the Great Hall and board a Starved Rock Trolley to travel to the Eagle I for a leisurely cruise on the Illinois River. Reservations are required. To book a cruise or for more information, click here.

There are five different cruises to choose from, all cruises take place on the beautiful Illinois River and provide guests with outstanding views of Starved Rock State Park. These amazing cruises are a great way to see the park without the crowds you would get while hiking.

Illinois River Cruise with lunch

Ferne Clyffe State Park has been known as an outstanding natural scenic spot for a century. An abundance of ferns, unique geological features and unusual plant communities create an atmosphere that enhances the many recreational facilities offered at the park. Ferne Clyffe State Park is located at 90 Goreville Rd, in Goreville, Illinois. For more information, click here.

Trails wind through picturesque woods, allowing visitors to view fascinating rock formations and inspiring vistas. Ferne Clyffe also offers camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting and fishing.

Located on Illinois Route 37, just one mile south of Goreville and 12 miles south of Marion, the 2,430-acre Johnson County park is easily accessible from both I-57 and I-24.

Ferne Clyffe has a campground for every type of camper: modern, primitive, youth groups, backpack or equestrian. Shower facilities offered at some campgrounds are available seasonally. Some campsites can be reserved online at ExploreMoreIL™.

Horseback riders can ride directly to their own Class C Equestrian campground on the trail, or drive to it in their vehicles. Up to 25 riders can be accommodated at the site, which includes picnic tables, drinking water, cooking grills, toilets, parking and showers. The campground is well-shaded by an abundance of trees, and you must protect the trees by tying horses to the hitching rails.

Bank fishermen will be impressed by Ferne Clyffe Lake’s populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and redear in the lake. Hunters will appreciate the 1,750 acres of forested habitat, with good populations of deer and squirrel. Quail and rabbit populations are fair.

Since 1960, the 16-acre Ferne Clyffe Lake has offered visitors additional recreational and scenic opportunities. The lake has a maximum depth of 22 feet, and a hiking trail is on the 1-mile shoreline. The lake is open to bank fishing, but boating and swimming are prohibited. Spectacular views of the lake can be seen from Lake-view Picnic Shelter and Blackjack Oak Trail.

Ferne Clyffe has been a favorite picnic spot for decades. Seven picnic areas have tables, cooking grills, parking and toilets, and several also have shelters, drinking water and playground equipment. Only park grills or personal cook-stoves should be used for cooking.

Eighteen diverse trails​ offer visitors the chance to view the beauty of Ferne Clyffe at their own pace. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not permitted on the trails. Naturally occurring dangerous areas exist within the park, so hike on designated trails, exercise awareness and caution. Each trail has been assigned a number, as well as a name, to make map reading easy for even the novice hiker.

My personal favorite trails include the Hawk’s Cave Trail and the Big Rocky Hollow Trail. Both of these provide stunning views and an excellent hike. The trails are shaded and well marked and are fairly easy to navigate!

If your looking for nearby lodging, click here. If you want to find more hidden gems nearby, click here. For the areas best family activities, click here.

As we all know, Illinois is a beautiful state full of Amazing Locations, Incredible Adventures, and must see destinations! There is also some fantastic lodging options available, including cabins, vacation homes, campgrounds, resorts and hotels. In this article we will cover the best of the best and let you know the Places To Visit, Things To Do, and Where To Stay. Enjoy!!

Places To Visit

Upstate Illinois

Starved Rock State Park

For more information, click here.

Mississippi Palisades State Park

For more information, click here.

Mathiessen State Park

For more information click here.

Castle Rock State Park

For more information, click here.

Heritage Canyon

For more information, click here.

Sylvan Island

For more information, click here.

Apple River Canyon State Park

For more information, click here.

Down State

Ferne Clyffe State Park

For more information, click here.

The Trillium Trail

For more information, click here.

Cache River State Natural Area

For more information, click here.

Jackson Falls

For more information click here.

The Devil’s SandTable

For more information, click here.

Cave in Rock State Park

For more information click here.

Giant City State Park

For more information click here.

Rim Rock Recreation Area

For more information, click here.

Millstone Bluffs

For more information, click here.

Garden Of The Gods

For more information, click here.

Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area

For more information, click here.

Bork Falls

For more information, click here.

The Giant City Nature Trail

For more information, click here.

Things To Do

Grand Bear Resort

For more information, click here.

The Forge Adventure Park

For more information, click here.

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour

For more information, click here.

Great Wolf Lodge

For more information, click here.

Snowman’s Reindeer Farm

For more information, click here.

Kayak Morris

For more information, click here.

Raging Waves Water-park

For more information, click here.

Chestnut Mountain Resort

For more information, click here.

Aikman Wildlife Adventure

For more information, click here.

Magic Waters Water Park

For more information, click here.

The Quad City Skydive Center

For more information, click here.

Kayak Chicago

For more information, click here.

Raging Rivers Water-Park

For more information, click here.

Vermillion River Rafting

For more information, click here.

Grafton Zipline

For more information, click here.

Snowstar Ski Resort

For more information, click here.

The Shedd Aquarium

For more information, click here.

Snowstar Sports Complex

For more information, click here.

Where To Stay

Lake-Front Vacation Home

For more information, click here.

Private Beach House

For more information, click here.

Giant Goose Ranch

For more information, click here.

Lena KOA Holiday

For more information, click here.

The Enchanted Garden Treehouse

For more information, click here.

The Floating Cabin

For more information, click here.

Grand Bear Resort

For more information, click here.

Sun Retreats Rock River Campground

For more information, click here.

Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

For more information, click here.

Jaybird Treehouse

For more information, click here.

Timber Ridge Outpost

For more information, click here.

Shawnee Hills Glamping Retreat

For more information, click here.

Camp Aramoni

For more information, click here.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Pine Lakes

For more information, click here.

Aeries Resort

For more information, click here.

Willowbrook Cabins

For more information on Willowbrook Cabins, click here.

The Resort at Egyptian Hills

For more information, click here.

Lake Ladonna Family Campground

For more information, click here.

Shawnee Trails Lodging and Suites

For more information, click here.

Kishauwau Cabins

For more information, click here.

Lakeside Retreat

For more information, click here.

Cedar Hill River Resort

For more information, click here.

Great Wolf Lodge is a perfect place for a weather proof family vacation! The best indoor water-park in Illinois is located at 1700 Nations Dr, in Gurnee, Illinois. For more information or to make a reservation, click here.

Family fun awaits when you visit this water park just outside of Chicago! The Great Wolf Lodge has a wide variety of attractions for families of all ages!

Fort Mackenzie is a water treehouse that provides endless fun! Explore all the levels splash-crazy fun in the best water fort treehouse you’ve ever seen. Delight in the interactive water toys and kid-activated splash features. Escape via the Totem Tower body slides to start all over again. And listen for the bell; when it rings, the gigantic bucket on top is ready to tip!

Surf’s up! Catch a wave and splash and play as the swells sweep in from the five-foot deep end to the zero-depth-entry shallows. Wave pools are a fun family vacation favorite for kids of all ages. The rollers flow in every five minutes to lift and transport you on the surge of the ocean’s tide.

Throw away your troubles and dream a little dream as you float down the lazy river with your friends and family. Relax into a nice groove as you allow the gentle current to carry you along for as long as you like.

My personal favorite is the River Canyon Run! Gather your friends together for the twisting, gliding, raft-riding adventure of your life! River Canyon Run sends you careening through the dipping, bending curves of a river of fun, and you’ll want to come back for more of this water slide action: guaranteed!

With so much fun all in one place most guests decide to stay for a few days. Great Wolf Lodge has some amazing rooms to choose from, including standard suites, premium suites, and the amazing themed suites. The lodge is a perfect place to visit during the cold winter months.

For the best family activities in Illinois, click here. For more of the best parks and Amazing Locations in Illinois, click here. For nearby lodging, click here.