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.

Raging Waves Water-Park

Raging Waves Water-park sprawls over 58 acres with 32 water-slides, 43 private cabanas, with a total of 11 dining options! There is also a 1/4 mile lazy river, and a 350,000 gallon wave pool. Highlights of the water-park include: The Aussie Mat Dash, This six-lane RallyRACER is just 1 of 3 of its kind in the WORLD! PJ’s Plummet is another popular attraction within the park. On this extreme slide you can hit speeds of 43 mph during descent, as you come to a splashing stop at ground level. The younger members of your group will love the Quokka-Nut Island,  The fun and exciting features will give our lil’ mates the chance to explore the land of the Quokka! Splash on over to meet the newest furry friends and experience 4 slides, interactive water features, and so much more! Raging Waves is located at 4000 N. Bridge St. in Yorkville, Illinois. For more information, you can visit their website by clicking here.

Magic Waters Water Park

Magic Water Water Park is a place the whole family can enjoy.  For the thrill seekers in your group there are plenty of water slides and dump buckets, while those just looking to relax can enjoy the beautiful lazy river. One of the more popular attractions at Magic Waters is the 707,000 gallon wave pool, known as Tsunami Bay.  The waves alternate between huge ocean waves, and calm relaxing tide, to give you a perfect mixture of thrill and chill.  Tsunami Bay is Illinois’s largest wave park, and can produce waves over 6 feet in height. Magic Waters Waterpark is located at 7820 Cherryvale N Blvd., in  Cherry Valley, IL. For more information, click here.

Grand Bear Resort 

Discover a magical family getaway just beyond the glow of Chicago at Starved Rock’s own Grand Bear Resort. Nestled in this gorgeous natural area of Illinois, Grand Bear Resort offers an oasis of relaxation and adventure – a destination where water-park fun meets nature! A truly unforgettable place to unwind, play, meet, dine and explore with family and friends. Grand Bear Resort is an oasis of relaxation and adventure where water park fun meets natural wonder! Featuring 24,000 sq.ft. indoor water-park, mini-golf, arcade, 4 cafe/restaurant/bars, banquet hall & party suites just steps from Starved Rock State Park.Grand Bear Resort is located at 2643 IL-178, North in Utica, Illinois. For more information, click here.

Raging Rivers Water-Park

Raging Rivers Water-Park is the perfect place for summer vacation. The water-park has some amazing attractions for guests of all ages. This place has family fun written all over it! Raging Rivers Water-Park has some amazing attractions! Including Breaker Beach Wave Pool, a never ending Lazy River that loops around the park, there is Treehouse Harbor and the Itty Bitty Surf City for the younger guests. If you love water-slides, they have those too! They have the Swirlpool, the Shark Slide, Runaway Rafts,  the Cascade Body Flumes, and the brand new MIssissippi Monster! Raging Rivers Waterpark is located at 100 Palisades Pkwy in Grafton, Illinois. About 40 miles from St. Louis. For more information, click here.

Fox River Resort

A Quiet Escape Surrounded by Rolling Hills. After fast-paced, big-city sightseeing in Chicago, families might want a vacation after their vacation. Savvy Midwesterners know there’s a serene, all-in-one retreat just 90 minutes away. In the rolling hills along the Fox River, near beautiful Starved Rock State Park, outdoor entertainment and indoor surprises await, including: Horseback Riding, Indoor Water-park, onsite watersport rentals, and golf course. Fox River Resort is located at 2558 N 3650rd Rd, in Sheridan, Illinois. For more information, click here.

Big Surf

Big Surf is an amazing water-park and has a variety of rides and attractions the entire family will enjoy! This is the ultimate Lake Of The Ozarks family destination. The water-park has 5 different water-slides each one varying in length and and thrill factor. The lazy river winds through about half of the park! It takes about five minutes to float completely around the river. Aside from the water-slides and the incredible lazy river is a huge Wave Pool. The 375,000-gallon pool generates waves up to three feet tall. Relax in the shallow area or grab a tube and hit the deeper end to ride the tides every 10 minutes.  Big Surf Water-Park is located at 954 State Road Y in Linn Creek, Missouri. For more information, click here.

Fugitive Beach

It’s not often you can find a swimming hole this exotic, right smack dab in the middle of the Midwest.  Perhaps that is why, The Fugitive Beach is such a popular destination for both locals and those all over the region.  Once an abandoned rock quarry, The Fugitive Beach now serves as a tropical paradise, surrounded by towering limestone bluffs. The Fugitive Beach is a family owned business, spread out on more then 20 beautiful acres.  The beach itself is over 300 feet in length of soft sand, just perfect for laying out in the summer sun. The Fugitive Beach is located at 16875 County Road 5285, in Rolla, Missouri. For more information, click here.

Jolly Mon

Enjoy fun and excitement at Jolly Mon Indoor Water Park, featuring 600 feet of water slides, an activity pool, an over-sized whirlpool, and a lazy river for tubing, and floating. This indoor water-park is open year round and is a perfect vacation destination! Jolly Mon Indoor Water Park is located at 494 Tan Tar A Drive, in Osage Beach, Missouri. For more information, click here.

White Water Water-Park

White water Water-Park in Branson features over two million gallons of fun, spread out across 13 acres of water rides, slides and waves.  White Water has numerous slides and attractions to keep even the busiest families active all day long! There are 15 water slides to choose from ranging from mild to wild, they have something for everyone! This highly-themed family attraction will transport you to the lush Polynesian jungles of the South Pacific. Plan your White Water adventure today! Whitewater is located at 3505 West 76 County Blvd in Branon Missouri. For more information, click here.

Oceans OF Fun Water-Park

Oceans of Fun is a tropically-themed water-park located in Kansas City Missouri. Oceans of Fun is thee largest water-park in Missouri and also one of the largest in the entire Midwest.  This amazing tropical paradise water-park offers a wide variety of water slides and attractions to provide guests of all ages an unforgettable experience! When Oceans of Fun opened back in 1982, it was the largest water-park in the world. Since that time they have continually expanded and added on! Currently the park sits at just over 60-acres, and has a large selection of water rides and attractions. Including: a MILLION GALLON wave pool, 18 water slides, and a 800 foot long lazy river! Oceans of Fun is located at 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, click here.