The heritage area is a unique blend of natural, cultural, and historical resources that tell the story of the canal and the role it played in the settlement and development of the region. Dont miss Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville for road trip treats. I will love to one day visit the Ice Age National Scenic Park to do some hiking and the beautiful Indiana Dunes National Park . Hike the trail at Twelvemile Beach where its possible to spot shipwrecks dotting the shoreline near the 19th-century lighthouse at Au Sable Point. Weve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. This candy store boasts the Worlds Best Gummies, but the sheer variety of nostalgic candies are worth the attention. The I & M Canal Heritage Area has sites scattered around greater Chicago protecting the historical area along the Illinois and Michigan Canal. restrictions, which you can review below. Its 1200 acres stretch for six miles, from North Avenue to Diversey Parkway, where it narrows along the lake and continues until the end of Lake Shore Drive. National parks are ranked by closest straight line distance, measured from representative points in Bloomington, IL Metro Area and each national park. Spend your days zip lining, braving it across the worlds highest Bridge Walk, rappelling, mountain biking, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, hiking and more. Opening hours 7:30AM - 7:00PM Entrance fee Free Mt. Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado), #18. 8 BEST National Parks Near Chicago You'll Love (Photos + Helpful Guide) As the closest national park to several major cities, including Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis and Milwaukee, Indiana Dunes National Park is the go-to park for over 30 million local residents living within a three-hour drive. Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri), #4. Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri), #4. White Sands National Park (New Mexico), #29. The park was established in 1970 to protect and preserve its unique and beautiful landscapes, and to provide recreational opportunities for visitors. Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska), #62. Today, the park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and families, who come to experience its diverse landscapes, rich cultural history, and abundant recreational opportunities. The canal was completed in 1848 and was used for nearly 90 years to transport goods and people throughout the region. Distance From Chicago: One hour and 56 minutes (103 miles) via I-94 W. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath that follows the path of the last glaciers that once covered much of the United States. Just outside the city of Chicago, youll find two opportunities for #parkchasing, one of the 60 official national parks and an affiliated historical site. Closest national parks to Chicago: All 63 ranked in order of distance Here are the Apple items still discounted today after Amazons official Prime Day event ended. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, CPD seeks driver who struck cyclist in Lincoln Park, North Carolina community requires US flags on all, Gary police K-9 shot, killed during traffic stop, Person trapped under car in hit-and-run crash dies, Illinois is #2 worst state in U.S. for drought, Dangerous heat wave baking US Southwest brings triple, 7 confirmed tornadoes after Wednesdays storms: NWS, Another chance for showers and storms tonight, Millions of Chicagoans under tornado warning as multiple, CW strikes deal to air ACC football, basketball. CHICAGO (AP) The National Weather Service said a tornado touched down near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Wednesday following warnings of severe weather for the city. There are also some amazing national parks. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. National Parks In Champaign. The countrys newest national park, this is the first national park in the ruggedly beautiful state. The closest international airports to Yellowstone are: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas), #11. CHECK OUT: 10 BEST Civil War Sites In America. Visit nearby Bowling Green for a tour of the National Corvette Museum, where you can view the sinkhole that swallowed eight Corvettes in 2014, then scoop up some cheese fondue and gourmet burgers at Gerards 1907 Tavern. From 1848 to 1900 the I & M Canal connected Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. . Paul Vallas: Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling offers a less divisive way to deal with inequities. Park Website: https://www.nps.gov/iatr/index.htmPark Address: 700 Rayovac DriveSuite 100Madison,WI53711. The historic home and surrounding neighborhood blocks are whereAbraham Lincolnlived from 1844 to 1861, before becoming the 16thPresident of the United States. Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. Virgin Islands), #54. California. Thanks so much for catching that! (STACKER) President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the country has to offer and showcase the countrys natural beauty and cultural heritage. 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Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Chicago? 10 Best Airports Near Yellowstone For US + International Visitors However, in 1984, Congress established the I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor to preserve and promote the history and cultural resources of the canal and its surrounding communities. Bring your camera and capture the stars over the Great Lakes where a stunning natural light show brightens the night sky. Make it super memorable with a MoonTrek visit, when the course is aglow with thousands of lights at night. The history of the I & M Canal dates back to the 1820s, when the Illinois General Assembly authorized the construction of the canal to connect the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River. Today, the Pullman National Monument is a significant historic site that celebrates the history and legacy of the Pullman Palace Car Company and the Pullman community. Its well worth the three-hour drive on I-88 outside of Chicago, especially in the spring when the site is surrounded by bulb flowers and flowering trees. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" More Than Just Parks | National Parks Guides, Article Summary: National Parks Near Chicago. Find a Park - U.S. National Park Service Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. The lakes and islands present an untouched and rugged look that is rare. Illinois is known as the "Land of Lincoln." It's popular for the city of Chicago, as well as it's vast cornfields which cover 85% of the state. Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks. 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President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Spend your time hiking, biking and viewing wildlife. Photo Credit: Voyageurs Conservancy and Erik Fremstad. Located in northwestern Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a 5.5-hour drive from Chicago in the northwestern region of Michigan and is home to the famed and challenging Dune Climb. 5 National Park Destinations That Aren't Parks Pinnacles National Park (California), #52. There are a few guidelines and Today, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site is a popular destination for history buffs, Lincoln enthusiasts, and families, who come to learn about the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Its the only park folx can take a CTA bus or Divy bike to. 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To that end, most Stacker stories are freely available to Many parks were forced to close to combat the spread of the virus, but that's not the whole storywhen the parks were open, many of them saw record crowds as throngs of people desperate to safely enjoy nature descended onto parks when they reopened. Jul 11, 2023 at 5:00 am. There are 50 miles of trails to hike and 37 miles of bike trails. West Siders want a seat at the table when Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago: 'It's important that they invest in our people'. Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana), #2. However, in 1894, a nationwide economic depression caused a decline in the Pullman Palace Car Companys fortunes, and tensions rose between the company and its workers. Stacker believes in making the worlds data more accessible through National parks are ranked by closest straight line distance, measured from representative points in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metro Area and each national park. We hope youll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. In 1966, the national lakeshore was expanded and re-designated as the Indiana Dunes National Seashore, and in 2019, the park was officially designated as Indiana Dunes National Park. Stay in one of the private cabins with a hot tub and kitchen, or rough it at a campsite. Joshua Tree National Park (California), #41. Chicago National Parks / Natural World. North Cascades National Park (Washington), #45. On Sunday, July 9, 2023, a 26-year-old female from Boulder, Colorado died after an approximate 500-foot-fall while free-solo climbing on the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park. Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska), #62. Theres so much more to the Land of Lincoln than the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. Pinnacles National Park (California), #52. Robot vacuums make life easier. Today, the country's 63 national parks contain at least 247 species of endangered or threatened plants and animals , more than 75,000 . Make sure to book cave tours in advance. Rent an RV with Outdoorsy Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Chicago Tribune. Its located near Munising, Michigan on Lake Superiors southern shores. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina, Tennessee), #10. The site commemorates where President Herbert Hoover grew up and is now home to his Presidental Library. Chicago's Shedd Aquarium welcomes its first rockhopper penguin chick in The beauty of Chicago lies not only in its magnificent architecture, but also in the citys vast preserved green and open spaces. Distance from Minneapolis to Effigy Mounds National Monument: 195 miles (3 hours 20 minutes) Image credit: NPS. Hopefully we get some new national parks this year like Indiana Dunes! Death Valley is situated on California's southeastern border with Nevada, Death Valley National Park spans over 5,000 square miles of otherworldly vistas. On sunny days, locals come out to play in droves, taking advantage of the ponds . The park consists of 33,000 acres of leafy trees, grassy valleys, cascading waterfalls and historic farms. 5. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado), #16. Read Journey to the Bottomless Pit, a book about enslaved guide Stephen Bishop, before your visit. Best parks in Chicago - Lonely Planet Over the years, the trail has been developed and maintained by a network of volunteers, with the support of the National Park Service and various state and local organizations. West Siders want seat at the table when DNC comes to Chicago Denver International Airport (DEN) in Denver, Colorado. The Lincoln Home is a popular National Historic Site in the Illinois capital city of Springfield. Pets must be on a leash six feet or shorter The 60-foot Brandywine Falls is a showstopper. No spam. National Park of American Samoa (American Samoa), See how many electric vehicles are registered in Illinois, Counties where the most people work from home in Illinois, Counties with the highest diabetes rate in Illinois, Where refugees in Illinois are arriving from, Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Chicago, Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Chicago, according to Yelp, Highest-rated museums in Illinois, according to Tripadvisor, Illinois is the #10 state where overdose deaths increased the least during COVID-19, Top 50 women-directed movies of the last 10 years, endangered or threatened plants and animals, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1. The trail passes through some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the country, including forests, prairies, wetlands, and river valleys. 9 CLOSEST Airports to Yosemite National Park (With Directions) You have entered an incorrect email address! Approximately 237 million people visited American national parks in 2020, representing a 28% year-over-year decrease attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. The home was built in 1839 and was occupied by the Lincoln family until they moved to the White House in 1861. Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota), #15. Park Website: https://iandmcanal.orgPark Address: See map for locations. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. Death Valley National Park (California, Nevada), #40. Naperville National Parks. Houghton is located off US-41 at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado), #19. National Parks In Kentucky. Situated just over five hours from downtown Chicago, the Sleeping Bear Dunes encompass 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, home to sandy beaches, pristine inland lakes . Illinois - U.S. National Park Service Kids can play on the playground as you watch the sun say goodnight. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas), #11. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho), #22. National Parks / Natural World In Illinois. Entry is free to Channel Islands National Park, but visitors without boats will need to pay for the third-party ferry. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), #39. 10 FASCINATING Facts About Indiana Dunes National Park. Channel Islands National Park (California), #50. Check out the map at the bottom of this post for all the national parks near Chicago: 0:04. Pet Friendly? Sleeping Bear, an all-season park has campgrounds. The park protects roughly 15 miles of lakeshore along the southern end of Lake Michigan. If natural features such as sand dunes, lush woodlands, colorful sandstone cliffs, and pristine beaches sound tantalizing, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will be well-worth the seven-hour drive from Chicago. The mainland and island attractions include stunning views and historic towns. Grand Canyon National Park Courtesy of Amtrak When it comes to family vacations and national parks, it doesn't get much more iconic than Grand Canyon National Park. Stacker compiled a list of the closest national parks to Chicago. And theyre still on sale today. Channel Islands National Park invites visitors to a 'different world' Today, visitors to the site can wander through the neighborhoods historic homes, see artifacts and memorabilia from the Pullman era, and attend tours of the Pullman factory complex. }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Distance From Chicago: Forty-six minutes (36 miles) via I-90 E. Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in northwestern Indiana. Natural Bridges National Monument. Be sure to check with individual parks before you visit to find out about ongoing, pandemic-related safety precautions at www.nps.gov/coronavirus. On the road: 394 miles, 6.5 hours from Gardiner, MT to Many Glacier; 394 miles, 6.5 miles from West Yellowstone to Many Glacier; that is not a typoit's the same distance from Gardiner and West Yellowstone to Many Glacier. Totally agree. The 1,200 mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail was established in 1980 and traces the edge of the large sheet of ice that was once thought to cover much of North America. Estimated driving times are from Here and are only available within the lower 48 states. Many parks were forced to close to combat the spread of the virus, but that's not the whole storywhen the parks were open, many of them saw record crowds as throngs of people desperate to safely enjoy nature descended onto parks when . What the Bible Says, Dark Souls II Scholar of the First Sin Overhaul, The Role Of Vitamins And Minerals In Hair Loss, 9 Psycho Thriller Movies Like Memento - Magical Assam, Divinity Original Sin 2: Best Builds For Lohse, List of SSR Characters in The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross | BlueStacks, Epic Seven Selective Summon Reroll Tier List April 2023-Game Guides-LDPlayer, Lockwood & Co. Season 2: Netflix Renewal Status & What We Know So Far, Best and Highest Rated Shows on Netflix in 2023 (May Update). Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky), #6. Stacker compiled a list of the closest national parks to Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metro Area. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington), #47. (NEXSTAR) For decades, national parks have served to protect sites with some sort of natural or cultural significance. The Indiana Dunes National Park is an hours drive from Chicago just across the Illinois-Indiana border in Porter, Indiana. 10 Must-Visit National Parks Near Chicago How many national parks are located near Chicago? Tour the 16th Presidents home and surrounding neighborhood where he lived from 1844 to 1861 before moving to the White House. Best National Parks Near Chicago - Expert World Travel Approximately 237 million people visited American national parks in 2020, representing a 28% year-over-year decrease attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. Learn how your comment data is processed. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky), #6. Stacker compiled a list of the closest national parks to Chicago. 15 National and State Parks Near Chicago - Outdoors Visitors here enjoy hiking, bird watching, camping and fishing. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho), #22. In 1966, the park was established as a National Lakeshore to protect and preserve its unique and beautiful landscapes for future generations. Distance From Chicago: Three hours and 39 minutes (200 miles) via I-55 S. In 2021, C-SPAN asked a group of distinguished presidential historians to rank our nations presidents from worst to best. Kayakers and canoers of all experience levels will find gentle floating and paddling along with a few thrilling rapids on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a 200-mile-long water trail a 6.5-hour drive from Chicago. In 1887, the state of Illinois purchased the home and began a restoration process, which was later taken over by the National Park Service. Joshua Tree National Park (California), #41. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In two weeks Park Chasers will be hopping a plane heading towards the Windy City of Chicago. You can hike the forests, kayak and canoe the islands and rivers. Directions & Transportation - Isle Royale National Park (U.S. National Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico), #21. and more. Death Valley National Park. Deposit Photos George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt came in second and third respectively. There are also 2 affiliated sites, including a national scenic trail. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Distance From Chicago: Three hours and 8 minutes (210 miles) via I-88 W & I-80 W. The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site preserves the birthplace, childhood home, and grave of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of Americas national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation. Located about 2 1/2 hours drive north from Chicago across the boarder into neighboring Wisconsin youll find the nearest visitors center and headquarters for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Your email address will not be published. Approximately 237 million people visited American national parks in 2020, representing a 28% year-over-year decrease attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is located in the Illinois city of West Branch. Shake off those cooped up feelings with a visit to Adventures on the Gorge, one of the best adventure resorts in the country, adjacent to the national park. One confirmed tornado damaged property ten miles from the city. This is the biggest driving day of the trip. Around 252 miles of river are protected here including the Namekagon River and the St. Croix River. The park is a popular destination on the Great Lakes thanks to its beautiful sandy beaches and great bird watching opportunities. While you may have dreamed of visiting Yellowstone or Yosemite, did you know that there are several national parks within driving distance of Chicago? National Parks / Natural World In Springfield. Paul Vallas: Affirmative action ruling offers less divisive way to deal Nearby Pigeon Forge boasts loads of family fun for those seeking more than nature expeditions. Estimated driving. By Paul Vallas. If youre spending the weekend or longer, stay in nearby New Buffalo, Mich. Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. Virgin Islands), #54. Various States CA,CO,ID,KS,MO,NE,NV,OR,UT,WY.