State Parks Near Marion, Illinois
28 state park units lie within 50 miles of Marion, including 1 park across the line in Missouri. The closest is Little Grassy Fish Hatchery, about 13 mi southwest of town. 8 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Little Grassy Fish Hatchery13 mi southwest
- Within 25 miles
- 8of 28 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 162 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 1pets allowed
State parks near Marion, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Marion; driving distance is usually longer.
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is a 95-acre park unit in Williamson County, about 6 miles southeast of Carbondale.
Hours, fees and rules for Little Grassy Fish Hatchery →Ferne Clyffe State Park
Covering about 2,572 acres, Ferne Clyffe State Park lies in Johnson County, in Goreville.
Hours, fees and rules for Ferne Clyffe State Park →Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area
Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area is a recreation area in Jackson County, about 3 miles northeast of De Soto.
Hours, fees and rules for Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area →Giant City State Park
Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Giant City State Park →Tunnel Hill State Trail
In Johnson County, in Vienna, Tunnel Hill State Trail covers about 917 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Tunnel Hill State Trail →Lake Murphysboro State Park
Lake Murphysboro State Park is a 948-acre park in Jackson County, about 3 miles west of Murphysboro.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Murphysboro State Park →Kinkaid Lake SFWA
Kinkaid Lake SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Jackson County, about 3 miles west of Murphysboro.
Hours, fees and rules for Kinkaid Lake SFWA →Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Franklin County, about 6 miles north of Benton.
Hours, fees and rules for Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area →Cache River State Natural Area
Covering about 14,999 acres, Cache River State Natural Area lies in Johnson County, about 6 miles southwest of Vienna.
Hours, fees and rules for Cache River State Natural Area →Trail of Tears State Forest
Trail of Tears State Forest is a forest in Union County, about 16 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Trail of Tears State Forest →Dixon Springs State Park
Dixon Springs State Park is a park in Pope County, about 16 miles north of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Dixon Springs State Park →Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 5,940-acre recreation area in Hamilton County, about 17 miles east of Benton.
Hours, fees and rules for Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area →Saline County SFWA
Saline County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Saline County, about 9 miles east of Harrisburg.
Hours, fees and rules for Saline County SFWA →Pyramid State Recreation Area
Covering about 18,936 acres, Pyramid State Recreation Area lies in Perry County, about 10 miles west of Du Quoin.
Hours, fees and rules for Pyramid State Recreation Area →Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
In Massac County, about 12 miles northwest of Metropolis, Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area covers about 2,153 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area →Sielbeck Forest SNA
Covering about 396 acres, Sielbeck Forest SNA lies in Massac County, about 10 miles northwest of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Sielbeck Forest SNA →Union County SFWA
Union County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Union County, about 12 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Union County SFWA →Trail of Tears State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, swimming, boating, fishing, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Trail of Tears State Park →Hamilton County
Hamilton County is a state fish and wildlife area in Hamilton County, about 7 miles northwest of Norris City.
Hours, fees and rules for Hamilton County →Devils Island Wildlife Management Area
Devils Island Wildlife Management Area is a park unit in Alexander County, about 7 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Devils Island Wildlife Management Area →Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area
Covering about 202 acres, Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area lies in Randolph County, about 11 miles east of Chester.
Hours, fees and rules for Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area →Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area
Covering about 1,390 acres, Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area lies in Alexander County, about 6 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area →Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park is a 1,389-acre park in Massac County, in Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Massac State Park →Washington County State Recreation Area
Washington County State Recreation Area is a 1,465-acre recreation area in Washington County, about 5 miles south of Nashville.
Hours, fees and rules for Washington County State Recreation Area →Turkey Bluffs
Turkey Bluffs is an idnr site (no designation in title) in Randolph County, about 5 miles southeast of Chester.
Hours, fees and rules for Turkey Bluffs →Cave-in-Rock State Park
If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Cave-in-Rock State Park →Horseshoe Lake Alexander County
Horseshoe Lake Alexander County is a state fish and wildlife area in Alexander County, about 17 miles southeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Horseshoe Lake Alexander County →Randolph County State Recreation Area
In Randolph County, about 3 miles northeast of Chester, Randolph County State Recreation Area covers about 1,138 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Randolph County State Recreation Area →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Marion
- Ferne Clyffe State Park 14 mi south · Campground listed
- Giant City State Park 16 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Lake Murphysboro State Park 24 mi west · Campground listed
- Kinkaid Lake SFWA 24 mi west · Campground listed
- Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area 25 mi north · Campground listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Marion
- Giant City State Park 16 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Cave-in-Rock State Park 47 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Marion
- Trail of Tears State Park 35 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Marion
- Trail of Tears State Park 35 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Marion
- Trail of Tears State Park 35 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
Fishing near Marion
- Trail of Tears State Park 35 mi southwest · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Marion
What is the closest state park to Marion?
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is the closest, about 13 miles southwest of Marion in a straight line. Next are Ferne Clyffe State Park and Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area.
How many state parks are near Marion?
28 state park units are within 50 miles, and 8 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Marion have camping?
16 parks list camping, the nearest being Ferne Clyffe State Park, Giant City State Park and Lake Murphysboro State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Marion?
Yes, at 1 park, including Trail of Tears 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 Marion?
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 Carbondale, IL15 mi west
- Near Mount Vernon, IL40 mi north
- Near Cape Girardeau, MO45 mi southwest
- Near Paducah, KY49 mi south
- Near Centralia, IL55 mi north
- Near Sikeston, MO69 mi southwest
- Near Belleville, IL79 mi northwest
- Near Evansville, IN79 mi east
Or see all Illinois state parks, Missouri 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.