Illinois Beach State Park

A pair of trees at Illinois Beach State Park at Zion, Illinois. provide isolated shade for beach-goers.
A pair of trees at Illinois Beach State Park at Zion, Illinois. provide isolated shade for beach-goers.
A banded piping plover on the beach at a location that once held many breeding pairs of piping plover's. I later discovered this plover was 7 weeks old and the first one born in 2017 to the Great Lakes Piping Plover population. It was born on June 4th in Manistee Michigan. What an amazing little bird.
A pair of endangered piping plovers setting up a nest. I was very lucky to see this as the few nesting sites in Illinois are all off limits due to their endangered status. The US Fish and Wildlife Service monitors and protects the nesting sites but this pair decided to nest in a new area that I found over the weekend. What an incredible thrill.
A close up of the piping plover which came to within 5 feet of me. These endangered little birds are doing better but they still have a long way to go before they are out of trouble.

Popular places to visit

Panoranic view of the Negev desert hills near the Gaza Strip bondary at sunset

Canaan Park

Explore the great outdoors at Canaan Park, a lovely green space in Beach Park.

Canaan Park
Cirrus clouds and a cottonwood tree at North Dunes Nature Preserve at Illinois Beach State Park at Lake Michigan

North Dunes Nature Preserve

You can take time to visit North Dunes Nature Preserve during your travels to Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

North Dunes Nature Preserve

Carmel Park

Explore the great outdoors at Carmel Park, a lovely green space in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Carmel Park

Ophir Park

Ophir Park is just one of the places to see in Zion, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Ophir Park

Platen Press Printing Museum

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Platen Press Printing Museum in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Platen Press Printing Museum

Zion City Hall

After visiting Zion City Hall, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Zion City Hall

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Super 8 by Wyndham Deerfield/Northbrook

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340 South Waukegan Road Deerfield IL
Super 8 by Wyndham Deerfield/Northbrook
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