State Parks Near Freeport, Illinois
21 state park units lie within 50 miles of Freeport, including 8 parks across the line in Wisconsin and Iowa. The closest is Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area, about 13 mi northwest of town. 5 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area13 mi northwest
- Within 25 miles
- 5of 21 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 142 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 4pets allowed
State parks near Freeport, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Freeport; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 8 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area →White Pines Forest State Park
Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for White Pines Forest State Park →Apple River Canyon State Park
For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Apple River Canyon State Park →Lowden State Park
Covering about 204 acres, Lowden State Park lies in Ogle County, in Oregon.
Hours, fees and rules for Lowden State Park →Castle Rock State Park
The official site lists about 6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Castle Rock State Park →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 →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 →Sugar River State Trail
The park supports hunting in season, biking, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Sugar River State Trail →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 →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 →New Glarus Woods State Park
Popular activities here are hunting in season, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for New Glarus Woods 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 →Yellowstone Lake State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and biking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Yellowstone Lake State Park →Bellevue State Park
Popular activities here are hunting in season, wildlife watching, and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers. There are also lodge rooms for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Bellevue State Park →Pecatonica State Trail
Visitors come for off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, and biking.
Hours, fees and rules for Pecatonica State Trail →Prophetstown State Park
In Whiteside County, in Prophetstown, Prophetstown State Park covers about 57 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Prophetstown 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 →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 →Belmont Mound State Park
The park supports hunting in season, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 2.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Belmont Mound State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Freeport
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area 13 mi northwest · Campground listed
- White Pines Forest State Park 22 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Apple River Canyon State Park 24 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Lowden State Park 24 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Castle Rock State Park 26 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Freeport
- White Pines Forest State Park 22 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Bellevue State Park 39 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Freeport
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area 13 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 22 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- White Pines Forest State Park 22 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Rock Cut State Park 34 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Freeport
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 22 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Yellowstone Lake State Park 38 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Freeport
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 22 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Sugar River State Trail 31 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- New Glarus Woods State Park 34 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Yellowstone Lake State Park 38 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Bellevue State Park 39 mi west · Hiking trails listed
+ 1 more in the list above
Fishing near Freeport
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 22 mi north · Fishing listed
- Yellowstone Lake State Park 38 mi northwest · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Freeport
What is the closest state park to Freeport?
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area is the closest, about 13 miles northwest of Freeport in a straight line. Next are Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area and White Pines Forest State Park.
How many state parks are near Freeport?
21 state park units are within 50 miles, and 5 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Freeport have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area, White Pines Forest State Park and Apple River Canyon State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Freeport?
Yes, at 4 parks, including Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area, Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area and White Pines Forest 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 Freeport?
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 Monroe, WI22 mi north
- Near Rockford, IL29 mi east
- Near Dixon, IL32 mi south
- Near Roscoe, IL33 mi east
- Near Belvidere, IL38 mi east
- Near Janesville, WI42 mi northeast
- Near Clinton, IA44 mi southwest
- Near DeKalb, IL52 mi southeast
Or see all Illinois state parks, Wisconsin state parks, Iowa 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.