State Parks Near Ottawa, Illinois
24 state park units lie within 50 miles of Ottawa. The closest is Buffalo Rock State Park, about 5 mi west of town. 10 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Buffalo Rock State Park5 mi west
- Within 25 miles
- 10of 24 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 151 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 3pets allowed
State parks near Ottawa, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Ottawa; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →LaSalle Lake SFWA
LaSalle Lake SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in LaSalle County, about 6 miles east of Ottawa.
Hours, fees and rules for LaSalle Lake SFWA →Illini State Park
Illini State Park is a 159-acre park in LaSalle County, about 6 miles east of Ottawa.
Hours, fees and rules for Illini State Park →Marseilles State Fish & Wildlife Area (Upland Game/Furbearer)
Marseilles State Fish & Wildlife Area (Upland Game/Furbearer) is a state fish and wildlife area in LaSalle County, in Marseilles.
Hours, fees and rules for Marseilles State Fish & Wildlife Area (Upland Game/Furbearer) →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 →Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail
In Grundy County, about 3 miles west of Morris, Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail covers about 1,080 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail →Gebhard Woods State Park
Covering about 31 acres, Gebhard Woods State Park lies in Grundy County, in Morris.
Hours, fees and rules for Gebhard Woods State Park →William G. Stratton State Park
William G. Stratton State Park is a 14-acre park in Grundy County, in Morris.
Hours, fees and rules for William G. Stratton State Park →Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area is a recreation area in Kendall County, about 4 miles south of Plano.
Hours, fees and rules for Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area →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 →Heidecke Lake SFWA
Heidecke Lake SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Grundy County, about 5 miles east of Morris.
Hours, fees and rules for Heidecke Lake SFWA →Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area
The official site lists about 8 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area →Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area
Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 2,816-acre recreation area in Grundy County, about 3 miles northeast of Gardner.
Hours, fees and rules for Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area →Channahon State Park
In Will County, in Channahon, Channahon State Park covers about 4 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Channahon State Park →Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area
Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 4,531-acre recreation area in Will County, about 4 miles northwest of Wilmington.
Hours, fees and rules for Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area →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 →Marshall SFWA
Marshall SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Marshall County, about 5 miles northeast of Chillicothe.
Hours, fees and rules for Marshall SFWA →Woodford SFWA
Its trail network totals roughly 3 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Woodford SFWA →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 →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 →Kankakee River State Park
Overnight options include 2 camping areas, with tent sites. The park says there are no showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Kankakee River State Park →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 →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Ottawa
- Illini State Park 6 mi east · Campground listed
- Starved Rock State Park 9 mi west · Campground listed
- Matthiessen State Park 12 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail 18 mi east · Campground listed
- Gebhard Woods State Park 20 mi east · Campground listed
+ 10 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Ottawa
- Starved Rock State Park 9 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Ottawa
- Starved Rock State Park 9 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Matthiessen State Park 12 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area 26 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
Questions about state parks near Ottawa
What is the closest state park to Ottawa?
Buffalo Rock State Park is the closest, about 5 miles west of Ottawa in a straight line. Next are LaSalle Lake SFWA and Illini State Park.
How many state parks are near Ottawa?
24 state park units are within 50 miles, and 10 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Ottawa have camping?
15 parks list camping, the nearest being Illini State Park, Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Ottawa?
Yes, at 3 parks, including Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park and Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Ottawa?
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 Morris, IL21 mi east
- Near Aurora, IL40 mi northeast
- Near DeKalb, IL40 mi north
- Near Campton Hills, IL46 mi northeast
- Near Dixon, IL48 mi northwest
- Near Wheaton, IL51 mi northeast
- Near Orland Park, IL53 mi east
- Near Elgin, IL54 mi northeast
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.