The Illinois state park system began in 1908 with what is now Fort Massac State Park becoming the first park in a system encompassing over 60 parks and about the same number of recreational and wildlife areas.
The parks range from small day-use affairs to larger parks that boast everything from fancy lodges and canyons to powerboating on large lakes and everything in between.
There are 140 state parks in Illinois. About 50 of them will close due to budget cuts in the next 5 to 10 years.