Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park RV & Campground Guide

This park is a terrific place to go shoreline fishing. It is allowed everywhere along Lake Michigan, except for the swim beaches and nature preserve. Anglers often catch steelhead trout in the spring and early summer when they are spawning. From late June to early September, try fishing for lake trout. Anglers may also catch salmon, yellow perch, walleye, sauger, and carp.

Head to the nature preserve at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, and you may see coyotes, deer, toads, frogs, turtles, owls, hawks, butterflies, and dragonflies.

The nature preserve at the park's far south end is a National Natural Landmark. It contains more plant diversity than anywhere in the state, with researchers recording over 650 plant species. The preserve has several ecosystems, including black-oak savannahs, sand prairie marshes, and sedge meadow marshes. Along with other nearby lands, the park is part of the Chiwaukee Prairie Illinois Beach Lake Plain, internationally recognized for its wetlands. In addition, visit the nature center, where there are two outdoor patios where you can spot creatures. They have a conservationist on staff to answer your questions.

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park has at least two multi-use hiking trails. One of them is near the nature preserve and offers hikers fantastic views of the preserve's diversity. The other one starts near the park's main parking lot and connects the park's two units. This trail also runs past Sand Pond, an excellent place to go fishing.

There is a swimming beach near the park's office, where people can swim in Lake Michigan. There is another swimming beach in the South Unit, near the campground. There are no lifeguards on duty.

The bike trail at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park runs between the North and South Units. This gravel trail is 2.2 miles long. The trail starts along Lake Michigan and runs to the park's visitors center.