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White Pines Forest State Park
Nearby Parks:
Castle Rock State Park
Lowden State Park
Franklin Creek State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Located in the heart of the Rock River valley, this charming 385-acre park is the south boundary of the old Chicago-Iowa Trail. History tells us that this was for years the principal route east and west across the northern part of the state.
Today the park provides the perfect recipe for family getaways. There are plenty of outdoor recreation activities, such as hiking, fishing, camping and picnicking. With lots of serene, picturesque beauty, and modern lodge facilities amidst a beautiful forest, there is no better way to retreat from the everyday routine than to re-discover yourself and your family among the open spaces at White Pines.
Along the meandering banks of Spring and Pine creeks, this scenic haven has magnificent trees that share moss-covered cliffs, strung with trailing vines. In season, colorful beds of blossoming trout lily, solomons seal, bloodroot, blue-eyed grass, spring beauty and hepatica are everywhere.
Small mammals, including red squirrels, raccoons and chipmunks, thrive in the luxuriant undergrowth, and the spreading branches above are filled with pine thrush, warblers and, in winter, flocks of migratory northern birds.
Among the park?s most interesting features are the concrete fords that span the creeks, allowing the visitor, quite literally, to drive through the flowing streams. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Best of the best parks
My grandfather took my uncles and father to White Pines, my father took my brothers and me here, and I plan on taking my children to White Pines. The ground here is like sleeping on air and the smells of white pines lull you to sleep. On Sunday mornings you wish it was Friday because you don?t want to leave. The bathrooms are always spotless and the rangers are like a next door neighbor. I love this place!!!! THANK YOU WHITE PINES!!!
Written by Steve Guziec
23-May-2008
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NICE PLACE
I HAVE MOVED TO FLORIDA , BUT WENT BACK TO THE AREA, IT IS WONDERFUL
Written by BRIAN
8-Jul-2008
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Many childhood memories
I am 57 years old and spent many happy days and nights visiting this wonderful park with my family and friend! We live/ed in Aurora, IL and White Pines is the place of some of my favorite family memories.
I visited it again in mid-August and am hoping to have a family gettogether there soon!
Written by snoflakeiam1950@aol.com
5-Sep-2008
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Favorite camping site
This is a special and unique park. The park is surounded by lime stone bluffs and has ample and well maintainted camping grounds.
Trails within the park of wide variety and several of the trails sport stepping stones to cross streams. Even to get to the camping site you drive through a small ford in a river.
Lastly, at the main lodge they have a great and inexpensive buffet.
Written by Allan
29-May-2009
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| Camping: |
| Looking to spend a night under the stars? White Pines State Park has 103 Class B/S campsites with vehicular access, Class C camping and, in addition, there are two youth group campgrounds. There are six campsites accessible for the physically challenged camper. Because of the nature of the terrain in this area, soft ground and high water may sometimes close campgrounds. It?s a good idea to check ahead with the site superintendent?s office to be sure the facilities are open. Reservations for camping are no longer being taken. Contact the park or visit the web site for more information. |
| Trails: |
| Whether you choose an easy walking trail or a more difficult path, three of the seven marked trails are less than a mile long and provide ample opportunity to see the beautiful vine-covered limestone bluffs, blossoming spring flowers and whispering pines. The trails have color-coded markers to aid the hiker in orienteering. A nature trail with a limestone-screened path is accessible for the physically challenged. |
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| Area Activities |
| Water Sports | |  | BeachWatch LLC - Loves Park, IL
Olson Beach located by Rock Cut State Park is a 250 yard long swimming beach located in Rock Cut State Park. General admission is $3. Admission for children under 48" is $2. Boat rentals are $5 for half an hour. Concessions and sand volleyball courts are available. Swim Lessons and Junior Life guarding classes are also available. Olson Beach is open noon to 7pm daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day for the summer swim season. So come let BeachWatch LLC host your water activities in Olson Beach at Rock Cut State Park. For more information call 815-978-5560.
Web Site: http://www.beachwatch.net |
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| Picnicking: |
| A perfect place for a family outing, there are several shaded picnic areas along Pine Creek with water, fireplaces, tables and children?s playgrounds. Of the four shelters in these areas, two can be reserved and two are first-come, first-served. |
| History of the Area: |
| White Pines Forest lies in the heart of Black Hawk Indian country and is rich in historic accounts of the warriors who resisted the efforts of settlers to drive them from the beloved Rock River valley. Eventually, however, the Black Hawk War forced them out and Chief Black Hawk himself was sent into exile in the custody of his rival, Keokuk.
When early settlers arrived, they found this 700-acre forest of untouched pine extending for 1/4 mile along the east bank of Pine Creek.
With a view to preserving Illinois? last stand of natural white pines and the most southern stand of white pines in the United States, a movement was started in the early part of the 20th Century to set the area aside as a state park. Through efforts of Ogle County nature lovers, a bill appropriating $30,000 for purchase of land was passed by the legislature in 1903, but the measure was vetoed. In 1927, however, they had more success, and the forest was acquired. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Hotels/Motels | |  | Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com |
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| | Advertise your park related business
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| DNR - DNR ... Publications Research/Surveys State Museums Search DNR Illinois [IL Search Tips] White Pines Forest - State Park Northwest Region 6712 West Pines Road Mt. Morris, IL 61054 815.946.3717 E-Mail ... | | Polo, Illinois - ... EnjoyIllinois.com Some other things that you might enjoy: White Pines Forest State Park - one of my all-time favorite parks ... organizations, sports, ... White Pines Forest State Park This is ... | | The - ... of '98 & '99 in Chicago's nearby Cook County Forest Preserves and at White Pines Forest State Park in Mt. Morris, Illinois. Since 1952 ELT, a not for profit organization, has been presenting ... | | White Pines State Park - White Pines Forest State Park 6712 West Pines Road Mt. Morris, Illinois 61054 815-946-3717 White Pines is a 385 acre State Park, with camping facilities, hiking trails, 25 one-room log cabins for ... | | Camping - Camping, Ogle County ... Parks There are three State Parks and two campgrounds within minutes of Polo. White Pines Forest State Park - 815-946-3717 Lowden State Park - 815-732-7329 Castle Rock State ... | | Parks - ... State Park Castle Rock State Park Return to Ogle County Links Return to Homepage WHITE PINES FOREST STATE PARK 6712 West Pines Road, Mt. Morris, IL 61054 815-946-3717 Located in the heart of Rock ... |
| Directions: |
| To reach White Pines Forest State Park from the Chicago Area, take Route 64 (North Avenue) west to Route 2 south in Oregon, turn left on Route 2 to Pines Road. At Pines Road, turn right and follow the signs to the park entrance, approximately 8 miles.
From the Northwest suburbs, take I-90 west to Route 20 at Rockford. Take Route 20 west to Route 2 south. You will go through Byron and continue to Oregon. In Oregon, continue to the south edge of town to Pines Road. Turn right on Pines Road and follow the signs to the Park entrance, a distance of about8 miles.
From the north or south, take I-39 to the Oregon exit (Route 64). take Route 64 west to Oregon. You will turn left at Route 2 and continue to Pines Road. Turn right on Pines Road and go about 8 miles to the park entrance.
If you are coming from eastern or western Illinois, take Toll Road IL RT 88 to the Dixon exit (Route 26). Take Route 26 north through Dixon to Lowell Park Road. Turn right and go about 11 miles to the stop sign which is Pines Road. Turn right on Pines Road and go about one mile to the park entrance. |
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| Area Activities |
| Boat Rentals | | | BeachWatch LLC - Loves Park, IL
Olson Beach located by Rock Cut State Park is a 250 yard long swimming beach located in Rock Cut State Park. General admission is $3. Admission for children under 48" is $2. Boat rentals are $5 for half an hour. Concessions and sand volleyball courts are available. Swim Lessons and Junior Life guarding classes are also available. Olson Beach is open noon to 7pm daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day for the summer swim season. So come let BeachWatch LLC host your water activities in Olson Beach at Rock Cut State Park. For more information call 815-978-5560.
Web Site: http://www.beachwatch.net |
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| Area Activities |
| Tourism | | | Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com |
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USA
(4 votes) |