Illinois doesn’t have a whole lot of beaches, but it does have loads of state parks. Well, imagine a place that combines the two. That magical place exists in Zion, Illinois. It is a 6.5 square mile beach along the shores of Lake Michigan. It is the only beach shoreline that still exists in the state.

1. This might be the most ideal place to take in a sunrise.
Mike Steele/Flickr
2. And it is home to all sorts of wildlife and plant species.
Mike Steele/Flickr
3. You can go into the water and swim or boat.
Peter Ciro/Flickr
4. But you might just want to sit back and relax and take it all in.
Yinan Chen/Flickr

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5. It is also a great place for camping, with 241 Class A premium sites.
Mike Steele/Flickr
6. There are several fragrant pines, as well as aquatic plants and fish.
WrongDave/Wikimedia
7. There are 5 miles of trails for you to take in.
WrongDave/Wikimedia
8. So much more than just the beach, this state park is composed of two units and over 4,000 acres.
Mike Steele/Flickr

But while it is more than the beach, we argue that this is the very best beach Illinois has to offer. What is your favorite part about Illinois Beach State Park?

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