Blackhawk Waterways
No admission feeThe official Illinois convention and visitors bureau promoting Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties in northwest Illinois.

Photo: IvoShandor, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
Drive through Pine Creek on the park's low-water fords and hike under the southernmost stand of native white pines in Illinois.
6712 West Pines Road, Mount Morris, IL 61054 · Mount Morris, IL
This 385-acre park in Ogle County protects one of the last stands of native white pine in Illinois, and a 43-acre section is a state nature preserve. Pine Creek runs through it, and at three spots the road crosses the creek on fords instead of bridges, so you drive right through the water; high water often closes them. There are shaded picnic areas along the creek and 103 campsites. The log lodge and cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and still take overnight guests.
The closest stops to White Pines Forest State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.
The official Illinois convention and visitors bureau promoting Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties in northwest Illinois.
5.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
See Lorado Taft's 50-foot concrete Black Hawk statue gazing over the Rock River from its bluff, then hike, camp and picnic on the old art colony grounds.
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Visual arts museum in Rockford, Illinois, offering free gallery admission on Thursday through Sunday.
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Stroll twelve acres of streams, waterfalls, winding paths and koi ponds in a Japanese garden designed by Hoichi Kurisu.
Transit: reachable by public transit
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Hike 15 miles of bluff trails to overlooks high above the Mississippi, climb rock towers like Twin Sisters and Indian Head, and camp under the cliffs.
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Walk a river town of brick storefronts, hillside streets and 1800s homes that once outgrew Chicago in the lead-mining boom.
57 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing