State Parks Near Dixon, Illinois
21 state park units lie within 50 miles of Dixon. The closest is Franklin Creek State Natural Area, about 7 mi east of town. 6 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Franklin Creek State Natural Area7 mi east
- Within 25 miles
- 6of 21 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 142 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 6pets allowed
State parks near Dixon, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Dixon; driving distance is usually longer.
Franklin Creek State Natural Area
Covering about 882 acres, Franklin Creek State Natural Area lies in Lee County, about 7 miles east of Dixon.
Hours, fees and rules for Franklin Creek State Natural Area →Lowden-Miller
In Ogle County, about 10 miles northeast of Dixon, Lowden-Miller covers about 2,347 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Lowden-Miller →White Pines Forest State Park
Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for White Pines Forest State Park →Castle Rock State Park
The official site lists about 6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Castle Rock State Park →Green River SWA
Green River SWA is a state wildlife area in Lee County, about 14 miles southeast of Rock Falls.
Hours, fees and rules for Green River SWA →Lowden State Park
Covering about 204 acres, Lowden State Park lies in Ogle County, in Oregon.
Hours, fees and rules for Lowden State Park →Morrison-Rockwood State Park
Morrison-Rockwood State Park is a park in Whiteside County, about 3 miles north of Morrison.
Hours, fees and rules for Morrison-Rockwood State Park →Prophetstown State Park
In Whiteside County, in Prophetstown, Prophetstown State Park covers about 57 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Prophetstown State Park →Big Bend
Big Bend is an idnr site (no designation in title) in Whiteside County, about 3 miles east of Erie.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Bend →Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area
The official site lists about 8 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area →Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area
Its trail network totals roughly 7 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area →Hennepin Canal State Trail
Covering about 4,322 acres, Hennepin Canal State Trail lies in Bureau County, about 12 miles west of Princeton.
Hours, fees and rules for Hennepin Canal State Trail →Donnelley/DePue SFWAs
Donnelley/DePue SFWAs is a state fish and wildlife area in Bureau County, in De Pue.
Hours, fees and rules for Donnelley/DePue SFWAs →Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area
In Bureau County, about 12 miles northeast of Kewanee, Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area covers about 913 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area →Mississippi Palisades State Park
In Carroll County, about 4 miles northwest of Savanna, Mississippi Palisades State Park covers about 2,500 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mississippi Palisades State Park →Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area
Its trail network totals roughly 4 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area →Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park is a 3,080-acre park in Winnebago County, in Loves Park.
Hours, fees and rules for Rock Cut State Park →Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area
The official site lists about 8.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area →Starved Rock State Park
Its trail network totals roughly 13 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Starved Rock State Park →Matthiessen State Park
Covering about 1,915 acres, Matthiessen State Park lies in LaSalle County, about 2 miles east of Oglesby.
Hours, fees and rules for Matthiessen State Park →Buffalo Rock State Park
In LaSalle County, about 5 miles west of Ottawa, Buffalo Rock State Park covers about 295 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Buffalo Rock State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Dixon
- White Pines Forest State Park 10 mi north · Campground listed
- Castle Rock State Park 11 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Green River SWA 15 mi south · Campground listed
- Lowden State Park 15 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Morrison-Rockwood State Park 25 mi west · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Dixon
- White Pines Forest State Park 10 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Starved Rock State Park 45 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Dixon
- White Pines Forest State Park 10 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area 33 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Rock Cut State Park 43 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area 44 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Starved Rock State Park 45 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 1 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Dixon
What is the closest state park to Dixon?
Franklin Creek State Natural Area is the closest, about 7 miles east of Dixon in a straight line. Next are Lowden-Miller and White Pines Forest State Park.
How many state parks are near Dixon?
21 state park units are within 50 miles, and 6 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Dixon have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being White Pines Forest State Park, Castle Rock State Park and Green River SWA. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Dixon?
Yes, at 6 parks, including White Pines Forest State Park, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area and Rock Cut State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Dixon?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Freeport, IL32 mi north
- Near Rockford, IL36 mi northeast
- Near DeKalb, IL38 mi east
- Near Clinton, IA39 mi west
- Near Belvidere, IL42 mi northeast
- Near Roscoe, IL47 mi northeast
- Near Kewanee, IL48 mi southwest
- Near Ottawa, IL48 mi southeast
Or see all Illinois state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.