Illinois Beach State Park Tours

A pair of trees at Illinois Beach State Park at Zion, Illinois. provide isolated shade for beach-goers.
A pair of trees at Illinois Beach State Park at Zion, Illinois. provide isolated shade for beach-goers.
A banded piping plover on the beach at a location that once held many breeding pairs of piping plover's. I later discovered this plover was 7 weeks old and the first one born in 2017 to the Great Lakes Piping Plover population. It was born on June 4th in Manistee Michigan. What an amazing little bird.
A pair of endangered piping plovers setting up a nest. I was very lucky to see this as the few nesting sites in Illinois are all off limits due to their endangered status. The US Fish and Wildlife Service monitors and protects the nesting sites but this pair decided to nest in a new area that I found over the weekend. What an incredible thrill.
A close up of the piping plover which came to within 5 feet of me. These endangered little birds are doing better but they still have a long way to go before they are out of trouble.

Plan a trip to see Illinois Beach State Park

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park

Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park

4.5 out of 5
Downtown Chicago
Price was ₩746,806, price is now ₩598,361 per person
₩598,361
per person
Apr 10 - Apr 12
found 17 hours ago
Roundtrip flight included
New York (NYC) to Chicago (ORD)
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,008 reviews)
The room was clean. The staff was very nice. They even held on to our stuff on our last day after check out so we could explore the town luggage free!

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago

Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago

4 out of 5
Downtown Chicago
Price was ₩947,142, price is now ₩649,819 per person
₩649,819
per person
Apr 10 - Apr 12
found 17 hours ago
Roundtrip flight included
New York (NYC) to Chicago (ORD)
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,790 reviews)
Room was clean, comfortable and quiet.

Reviewed on Jan 30, 2026

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

5 out of 5
Downtown Chicago
Price was ₩1,298,201, price is now ₩981,072 per person
₩981,072
per person
Apr 10 - Apr 12
found 17 hours ago
Roundtrip flight included
New York (NYC) to Chicago (ORD)
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,773 reviews)
The room was boring thought it would be cleaner updated for the price best part was the view

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

Popular places to visit

Panoranic view of the Negev desert hills near the Gaza Strip bondary at sunset

Canaan Park

Explore the great outdoors at Canaan Park, a lovely green space in Beach Park.

Canaan Park
Cirrus clouds and a cottonwood tree at North Dunes Nature Preserve at Illinois Beach State Park at Lake Michigan

North Dunes Nature Preserve

You can take time to visit North Dunes Nature Preserve during your travels to Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

North Dunes Nature Preserve

Carmel Park

Explore the great outdoors at Carmel Park, a lovely green space in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Carmel Park

Ophir Park

Ophir Park is just one of the places to see in Zion, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Ophir Park

Platen Press Printing Museum

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Platen Press Printing Museum in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Platen Press Printing Museum

Zion City Hall

After visiting Zion City Hall, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Zion City Hall

Best Lodging Options Near Illinois Beach State Park

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Gurnee

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Gurnee

3 out of 5
5688 Northridge Rd Gurnee IL
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Gurnee
Staybridge Suites, Lincolnshire by IHG

Staybridge Suites, Lincolnshire by IHG

3 out of 5
100 Barclay Blvd Lincolnshire IL
Staybridge Suites, Lincolnshire by IHG
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago North Shore Deerfield

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago North Shore Deerfield

4 out of 5
1445 Lake Cook Rd Deerfield IL
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago North Shore Deerfield
Super 8 by Wyndham Deerfield/Northbrook

Super 8 by Wyndham Deerfield/Northbrook

2.5 out of 5
340 South Waukegan Road Deerfield IL
Super 8 by Wyndham Deerfield/Northbrook
Motel 6 Prospect Heights, IL

Motel 6 Prospect Heights, IL

2 out of 5
540 N Milwaukee Ave Prospect Heights IL
Motel 6 Prospect Heights, IL
See all 1,979 properties in Illinois Beach State Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.