State Parks Near Kenosha, Wisconsin
15 state park units lie within 50 miles of Kenosha, including 5 parks across the line in Illinois. The closest is Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, about 9 mi southeast of town. 4 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park9 mi southeast
- Within 25 miles
- 4of 15 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 61 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 4pets allowed
State parks near Kenosha, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Kenosha; driving distance is usually longer.
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
The official site lists about 5 miles of trails. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park →Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, and boating. For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Richard Bong State Recreation Area →Chain O' Lakes State Park
Covering about 5,124 acres, Chain O' Lakes State Park lies in Lake County, about 3 miles north of Fox Lake.
Hours, fees and rules for Chain O' Lakes State Park →Volo Bog State Natural Area
Covering about 796 acres, Volo Bog State Natural Area lies in Lake County, in Lakemoor.
Hours, fees and rules for Volo Bog State Natural Area →Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam State Park
Its trail network totals roughly 10 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam State Park →White River State Trail
Things to do include horseback riding and biking.
Hours, fees and rules for White River State Trail →Big Foot Beach State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. The official site lists about 5 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are 100 campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Big Foot Beach State Park →Lakeshore State Park
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Lakeshore State Park →Hank Aaron State Trail
Popular activities here are biking.
Hours, fees and rules for Hank Aaron State Trail →Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit
Covering about 986 acres, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit lies in Waukesha County, about 3 miles southeast of Eagle.
Hours, fees and rules for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit →Havenwoods State Forest
The park supports biking, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Havenwoods State Forest →Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and swimming. Camping is available: 264 campsites across 7 camping areas, including tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit →Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit
Visitors come for horseback riding, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit →James "Pate" Philip State Park
James "Pate" Philip State Park is a park in DuPage County, about 2 miles north of Wayne.
Hours, fees and rules for James "Pate" Philip State Park →Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Kenosha
- Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park 9 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area 13 mi west · Campground listed
- Chain O' Lakes State Park 18 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Big Foot Beach State Park 28 mi west · 100 campsites
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 39 mi northwest · 264 campsites
+ 1 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Kenosha
- Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park 9 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Kenosha
- Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park 9 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Lakeshore State Park 31 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Havenwoods State Forest 38 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 39 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Kenosha
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area 13 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Big Foot Beach State Park 28 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 39 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Kenosha
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area 13 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Big Foot Beach State Park 28 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Lakeshore State Park 31 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Havenwoods State Forest 38 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 39 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Fishing near Kenosha
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area 13 mi west · Fishing listed
- Big Foot Beach State Park 28 mi west · Fishing listed
- Lakeshore State Park 31 mi north · Fishing listed
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit 39 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit 49 mi northwest · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Kenosha
What is the closest state park to Kenosha?
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park is the closest, about 9 miles southeast of Kenosha in a straight line. Next are Richard Bong State Recreation Area and Chain O' Lakes State Park.
How many state parks are near Kenosha?
15 state park units are within 50 miles, and 4 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Kenosha have camping?
6 parks list camping, the nearest being Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, Richard Bong State Recreation Area and Chain O' Lakes State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Kenosha?
Yes, at 4 parks, including Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, Lakeshore State Park and Havenwoods State Forest. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Kenosha?
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 Oak Creek, WI20 mi north
- Near Milwaukee, WI33 mi north
- Near Elkhorn, WI34 mi west
- Near Schaumburg, IL40 mi south
- Near Elgin, IL44 mi southwest
- Near Whitewater, WI47 mi west
- Near Oconomowoc, WI47 mi northwest
- Near Wheaton, IL52 mi south
Or see all Wisconsin state parks, 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.