State Parks Near Mount Vernon, Illinois
15 state park units lie within 50 miles of Mount Vernon. The closest is Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, about 15 mi south of town. 4 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area15 mi south
- Within 25 miles
- 4of 15 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 91 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 0pets allowed
State parks near Mount Vernon, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Mount Vernon; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →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 →Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is a recreation area in Wayne County, about 21 miles east of Salem.
Hours, fees and rules for Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area →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 →Stephen A. Forbes SRA
Stephen A. Forbes SRA is a 3,116-acre state recreation area in Marion County, about 13 miles northeast of Salem.
Hours, fees and rules for Stephen A. Forbes SRA →Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Its trail network totals roughly 9 miles, according to the park. There are also lodge rooms for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →Carlyle Lake SFWA
Carlyle Lake SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Fayette County, in Vandalia.
Hours, fees and rules for Carlyle Lake SFWA →World Shooting and Recreational Complex
World Shooting and Recreational Complex is a park unit in Randolph County, about 4 miles north of Sparta.
Hours, fees and rules for World Shooting and Recreational Complex →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 →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 →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Mount Vernon
- Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area 15 mi south · Campground listed
- Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area 24 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Washington County State Recreation Area 24 mi west · Campground listed
- Stephen A. Forbes SRA 29 mi north · Campground listed
- Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area 33 mi northwest · Campground listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Mount Vernon
- Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area 33 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
Questions about state parks near Mount Vernon
What is the closest state park to Mount Vernon?
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area is the closest, about 15 miles south of Mount Vernon in a straight line. Next are Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
How many state parks are near Mount Vernon?
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 Mount Vernon have camping?
9 parks list camping, the nearest being Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Washington County State Recreation Area. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Mount Vernon?
None of the parks listed here say dogs are allowed. Check each park page before bringing a pet.
Are there free state parks near Mount Vernon?
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 Centralia, IL18 mi northwest
- Near Marion, IL40 mi south
- Near Carbondale, IL44 mi south
- Near Highland, IL52 mi northwest
- Near Effingham, IL59 mi north
- Near Belleville, IL60 mi west
- Near Edwardsville, IL67 mi northwest
- Near St. Louis, MO75 mi west
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.