Illini State Park

About Illini State Park

Illinois State Park is the kind of park that comes to mind when you think of big picnics and family celebrations. Philadelphia Park offers a sense of history that many other parks do not, and it is one of the best in Illinois.

The northern edge of this 510-acre park is bordered by the Great Falls of the Illinois River. Named after the Native Americans, Illinois State Park is located in the heart of Philadelphia County, south of Chicago.

In just over two miles, the river drops three feet and creates beautiful rapids that fall into the Great Falls of the Illinois River at 1,000 feet per second.

At the eastern end of the park are the Great Falls, the largest waterfall in the state of Illinois, and the Illinois River. Illinois State Park is one of only a handful of state parks in Illinois with a total area of more than 1,000 acres. Spring is characterized by the blooming of wild flowers throughout the season and in summer the shady coolness provides a perfect backdrop for sunsets and sunrises on the lakeside and summer activities.

The area is surrounded by a 1.5 m long layer of coal and is home to an ancient glacier landscape called the Marseille moraine. During the Second World War, a large coal mine, located one kilometre south of the park, supplied coal to the industry of Marseille. One of these industries was the production of steel, steel mills and other industrial products for the United States and Europe.

The ITS Marseille power plant is still visible on the north bank of the river, as are its power stations. Less than a mile north of the park is the historic Illinois-Michigan canal, completed in 1848 when the "Marseille - Morris" line opened.

The park borders the canal to the north and visitors can watch large barges pass through the locks of the park in Marseille. The rapids of the Illinois River are wonderful to watch, but also make navigation difficult. In the mid-1920s, the Army Corps of Engineers built a shipping channel to bypass the expressway. The HM Canal was a trade route in the area for centuries before the railways became a transport giant.

The prestigious Marsatawa Country Club once graced the east end of the park, but the former country house was moved to Marseille and served as the American Legion Hall. In the 1930s, two companies of the Civil Conservation Corps converted the golf course into a park and built park buildings that are still in use today. Organized by its founder from Ottawa, the club has a long history as a golf club and other activities such as picnics, golf courses and golf tournaments.

The CCC camp at the western end of the park was converted into a half-day boys "camp, which provided entertainment in the parks in the first year. There are pitches for caravans, including electrics and sanitary facilities, and the complex offers stunning views over the river. Heathi State Park has something for every camper, with a variety of campsites, campsites, picnic areas and other amenities. Illinois joined the state parking system in 1934 and became the first US state to open public parking spaces in 1935.

Youth rooms are available for youth groups, but should be reserved in advance at the building authority. Campers should obtain permission from the campsite staff and hosts before arrival.

There are no ramps for visitors, and boaters are responsible for boating within the Illinois River's motor limits, which are not available for rental. Fishermen can find a wide variety of fish species on and off the Illinois River, from small mouthed perch to large mouth trout. Boaters can be boaters - only at the boat ramp, but there is no parking for boats or other vehicles on the river, except for a limited number of parking spaces for campers and visitors. Anglers will find a variety of fish, large and small, that are found on or near the Michigan River and its tributaries and other rivers and streams.

All accommodations have a working fireplace, and the park beaches and playgrounds offer picnic tables and benches, as well as a variety of outdoor activities for children.

Illinois State Park is the perfect place for winter fun, and the shelter provides a pleasant environment to warm your fingers and toes during winter training. Other recreational activities include a variety of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Hikers will enjoy hiking trails, snowmobile trails, trailheads, picnic tables and picnic areas, as well as a wide range of activities for children.

During the warmer months, the food and drink concession stands are open in the winter months and open to the public in the summer months.