We visited Giant City State Park, one of the more popular and famous parks in southern Illinois. Giant City is full of things to do- there are so many activity options, lots of hiking to interesting areas, a visitor center, a lodge with restaurant, and even campgrounds and cabins for…
Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest area of Southern Illinois. This state park is great for hiking, while also putting you near other amazing parks and wilderness areas. It features RV, tent, and equestrian camping. Our guide will tell you all you need…
Nestled in the heart of southern Illinois, Ferne Clyffe State Park is full of awaiting adventures. The 18 trails in the park will take you through peaceful woods, over tall bluffs, and to cascading waterfalls. Ferne Clyffe is split into two sections, each with its own unique trails. Trails range…
An hour from St. Louis, near the Mississippi River, is the small town of Prairie du Rocher (French for prairie on the rock). We visited as part of our trip out to see Fort de Chartres and found small town charm, prehistoric shelters, French colonial history, and one amazing hike.…
My best friend Liz and I took a mini roadtrip through Northwest Illinois, with stops in Byron and Freeport, before camping at Apple River Canyon State Park. This corner of the state is full of quirky roadside attractions, local history, and scenic views. Our itinerary could be done as a…
Even before full-timing, the campground we kept coming back to over and over again is Comlara Park near Bloomington, IL. Located on Evergreen Lake, Comlara has great campsites and many many trails to explore. We’ll tell you all you need to know to visit, and even share our secret favorite campsite.…
Argyle Lake State Park, near Macomb, is a hidden gem of the Illinois State Park System. We took a long weekend trip in 2022 full of hiking, paddling, and visiting some cool nearby places. Our trip recap will give you all you need to know about the park and ideas…
The Midwest is not known for backpacking, but we found the perfect beginner’s backpacking trip less than 3 hours from Chicago. Forest Glen Preserve near Danville, IL can be a 1 or 2 night trip using the River Ridge Back Pack Trail. We’ll tell you all about it, and share…
We’ve had several great weekends camping at Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna, IL and we’ve enjoyed it immensely every time. We explored the area around the park and discovered tons of hidden treasures to explore. In our camping guide and 2023 trip recap, you’ll find our campground review, information…