MORE TO Explore

Beyond the borders of Starved Rock State Park, there’s even more exciting nature to explore in LaSalle County! Here are 14 other outdoor destinations you should be sure to visit on your next trip.

ALLEN PARK

400 COURTNEY STREET

OTTAWA

A sprawling riverfront park, located on Ottawa’s Rt. 71 that offers boat launches, docks, a riverwalk, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic tables, toboggan run and an amphitheater.

BAKER LAKE

2700 AIRPORT ROAD • PERU

Baker Lake Park offers fishing, picnicking, playground, shelters, restrooms, soccer field and a 1-mile paved walking path.

CATLIN PARK

2560 EAST 1251ST ROAD

OTTAWA

This 333-acre park offers fourteen distinct trails that run past streams, ponds and Catlin’s lush river valley vegetation. If you’re a fan of horseback riding, Catlin has some of the best trails in the area for riding.

DAYTON BLUFFS

2997 ROUTE 71 • OTTAWA

Owned by The Conservation Foundation and managed

LaSalle County’s newest parks. Winding along the bluffs of the park features bubbling creeks,

Hopalong

CASSIDY CANOE LAUNCH

WEST MAIN STREET RTE. 18 STREATOR

This 0.5 mile trail parallels the flowing waters of the Vermilion River. Visitors can follow the trail through a forest of mulberry, hackberry, oak and maples. Blue jays, chickadees, and woodpeckers are frequent sights for birders, while butterflies and dragonflies are commonly found along the trail’s sunnier stretches.

LAKE KAKUSHA

ROUTE 251 • MENDOTA

This man-made lake, located in northern LaSalle County, is ideal for fishing and light trail walking. You’ll find ample shelters and picnic areas.

Nature Preserves

MCPHEDRAN PARK

OAKWOOD AVE. • OGLESBY

This pet-friendly park features a fishing pond and pier. You’ll also find a 1/3 mile long walking track, complete with 6 work out stations. For the kids, there’s a playground with baby swings, regular swings and a pirate-themed jungle gym.

MITCHELL’S GROVE NATURE PRESERVE EAST 5TH ROAD • LASALLE

This small park is something of a geological oddity, with its unique rock formations showing evidence of glacial gouging and boulder deposits from as far north as Canada. You’ll also find a winding creek, tall bluff outcroppings and some rare vegetation. For nonrockhounds, it’s also a popular hunting destination during deer season.

RIVER WALK AND FOX

RIVER PARK

1025 ONTARIO STREET

OTTAWA

See the beauty of the Fox River from downtown Ottawa. You’ll find a paved walking path that runs from Fox River Park all the way to the downtown, where the Fox meets the Illinois River. At Fox River Park you’ll also find a splash pad, 9-hole disk golf course, playground,