These Are The Illinois State Parks Reopening On May 1st

Some state parks, recreation areas, and fish and wildlife areas will reopen in Illinois on May 1st under a modified stay-at-home order announced by Governor JB Pritzker Thursday.

IDNR:

To allow Illinois residents to engage in some outdoor activities, the IllinoisDepartment of Natural Resources (IDNR) will reopen select state parks, recreation areas fish and wildlife areas and trails beginning May 1. Visitors to the reopened sites will be required to comply with social distancing guidelines and other COVID-19 best practices.

Here are the IDNR sites that will reopen May 1, sorted by region:

Northwest Illinois

Argyle Lake State Park, Jubilee College State Park, Lowden State Park, Morrison-Rockwood State Park, Rock Island Trail, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area.

Northeastern Illinois

Chain O’ Lakes State Park, Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail, Kankakee River State Park, Moraine Hills State Park, North Point Marina.

East Central Illinois

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Eagle Creek State Park, Kickapoo State Recreation Area, Wolf Creek State Park.

West Central Illinois

Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Sangchris Lake State Park, Siloam Springs State Park, Washington County State Recreation Area.

Southern Illinois

Fort Massac State Park, Giant City State Park, Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area.

All other IDNR sites, including state historic sites, will remain closed until further notice.

Visitors to reopened IDNR sites should bring alcohol‐based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60 percent alcohol) and face coverings. Additional health and safety guidelines include:

• Practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet of distance between yourself and others
• Please stay home if you are sick or feeling any symptoms, such as fever, coughing, troubled breathing, and/or other flu-like symptoms
• Visit alone or with members of your household
• Stay local; visit parks that are closest to where you live
• If you arrive at a park and crowds are forming, please move to another area or return another time/day to visit
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper arm/elbow.