Constructed from 1892 to 1907, the beautiful Hennepin Canal State Trail is a great place for fun and relaxation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the first American canal built of concrete without stone cut facings.

Hennepin Canal State Trail spans five Illinois counties (Rock Island, Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside) and is a great place to visit when snow falls. It’s where you can find the longest snowmobile trail in Illinois- 91 miles of pure fun. Cross Country skiers are also able to traverse a 4.5 mile trail.

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The holiday season is upon us! But don’t let winter keep you away from Illinois’ parks. Many have fun things to do during the colder months of the year.

Located near Danville in Vermillion County, picturesque Kickapoo State Recreation Area is one such place. It features a variety of family-friendly activities when snow is on the ground.

Cross country skiing, sledding and ice skating are popular attractions.

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One of the best times to visit Pere Marquette State Park is during the fall when the leaves are changing colors and falling from the trees. Car rides are popular this time of year around the park’s riverside roadways.

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Numerous tales of spirits and unexplained phenomena have been recorded in various locations across Illinois. To find out ourselves if some of these tales were true, we visited three places said to be haunted.

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Fall is known for the timeless traditions of haunted houses, pumpkin pie, apple cider and time spent with family members and friends at apple orchards and bonfires. The cooler temperatures and vibrantly colored leaves also make the season great for visiting Illinois’ parks.

Silver Springs Fish & Wildlife Area, one of our state’s most popular parks to visit during fall, is located in Yorkville.

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