RECREATION
State Parks
Castle Rock State Park
1365 West Castle Road • Oregon, IL 61061
Located 23 Miles Southwest off Highway 2
815-7327329
Found in the Rock River Hills region along the west bank of the Rock River in Ogle County, Castle Rock State Park offers plenty of rock formations, ravines, and plant species among its 2,000 acres, 710 of which are designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, six miles of marked hiking trails, photography, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, fishing and boating on Rock River, and hunting. more... mapLowden State Park
1411 North River Road; P.O. Box 403 • Oregon, IL 61061
Located 23 Miles Southwest
815-732-6828
A memorial to former Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden, the picturesque Lowden Memorial State Park, along the Rock River in Ogle County, features a 50-foot concrete statue, a tribute to Native Americans, designed by sculptor Lorado Taft. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, hiking, camping, walking trails and fishing and boating on the Rock River. more... mapLowden-Miller State Forest
1365 West Castle Rock Road • Oregon, IL 61061
Located 23 Miles Southwest
815-732-7329
Visitors of this 2,225-acre wooded area in the Rock River Valley can enjoy terrific views of hardwood and pine trees from 120-foot bluffs. Lowden-Miller State Forest, situated across the Rock River from Castle Rock State Park, was named for former Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden for his love of land and his dedication to reforestation. Enjoy hunting, trails, horseback riding, and camping while visiting. more... map
Recreation Areas
Castle Rock State Park
1365 West Castle Road • Oregon, IL 61061
Located three miles south of Oregon
815-732-7329
A sandstone bluff, adjacent to the Rock River, gives this park its name and hints at the rock formations, and ravines you will find here. The park offers three picnic areas with shelters, picnic tables, playground equipment, grills, toilets, and drinking water, one of which offers a beautiful view over the Rock River Valley. Visitors will also discover scattered tables for use along the river. Two of the park's shelters may be reserved. There are six miles of marked trails available for hiking and cross-country skiing, tobogganing sites, and one-half miles of bank fishing. There is also a boat ramp available for public use. more... mapLowden State Park
1411 North River Road • Oregon, IL 61061
Located north of Oregon
815-732-6828
Dedicated as a memorial to Gov. Frank O. Lowden, who served Illinois during World War I, this state park features a 50-foot statue of an American Indian, designed by sculptor Lorado Taft, sitting atop the bluffs overlooking the Rock River Valley. The park offers picnicking areas with tables, drinking water, park stoves, outdoor toilets and litter cans; camping; four miles of good foot trails; and river fishing. A launching ramp and boat docks are located adjacent to the park. more... mapLowden-Miller State Forest
1365 West Castle Rock Road • Oregon, IL 61061
South of town
815-732-7329
A 2,225-acre wooded area with 120-foot bluffs, along 3.5 miles of riverfront, this state forest is filled with hardwood and pine trees, some of which were planted by Frank O. Lowden, Illinois' governor from 1917-1921. There are approximately 22 miles of maintained trails available for hiking and cross country skiing, including a 1.5-mile self-guided nature trail. An equestrian parking area and designated horse trails are also available. more... mapWhite Pines State Park
6712 West Pines Road • Oregon, IL 61054
Located in Mt. Morris, IL
815-946-3817
This beautiful, 385-acre state park sits in the middle of the Rock River valley beside Spring and Pine creeks. The park offers a variety of activities for visitors including hiking, fishing, camping, cross country skiing, and bicycling. Several shaded picnic areas are available along Pine Creek with water, fireplaces, tables and children’s playgrounds. There are four shelters in these areas, two of which can be reserved. more... map
Equine
White Pines Ranch
3581 Pines Road • Oregon, IL 61061
815-732-7923
The White Pines Ranch, a dude ranch just for kids, offers camp programs, and weekend programs, throughout the year, on 200 acres of beautiful woods, pastures and horse trails. Activities offered include horseback riding, swimming (in season), hiking through scenic sandstone canyons, horse studies with grooming, scavenger hunts, mapping, orienteering, outdoor games, fossil hunts, wildlife study, hayrides, bingo, country line dancing and campfire songs. Winter activities include cross country skiing, sledding and lots of hot chocolate! more... map
Golf
Oregon Country Club
250 South Daysville Road • Oregon, IL 61061
815-732-2717
This is a private golf club. The course's signature hole is #8, a 419-yard, par 4, best known for its beauty as well as its difficulty. A member must accompany guests in order to play this course. mapPrairieView Golf Course
7993 North River Road • Oregon, IL 61061
Located in Byron, IL
815-234-4653
This golf course with a four-star rating by Golf Digest, features four sets of tees, which offer a challenge to golfers at every skill level. Situated on a beautiful site overlooking the Rock River, the course has bent grass greens, tees, and fairways. The clubhouse includes enlarged dining facilities, a pro shop, and locker rooms with showers. more... mapSilver Ridge Golf Course
3069 North Hill Road • Oregon, IL 61061
815-734-4440
A challenge can be found on every hole, at this 18-hole golf course, with a Golf Digest rating of 3 1/2 Stars. It features four sets of tees, with tree-lined fairways and Silver Creek running through the course. map
Hiking & Climbing
Nachusa Grasslands
8772 South Lowden Road • Oregon, IL 61031
Located in Franklin Grove, Illinois
815-456-2340
This 1,500 acre preserve features eleven different natural community types, including dry prairie, tallgrass prairie, bur oak savanna, sand savanna, fen, sedge meadow, and streamside marsh, as well as 600 native plant species and 180 species of birds. It is open to the public for hiking, bird watching, and other activities that do not harm the natural landscape. Volunteers at Nachusa conduct periodic tours, bird walks, and other special events. more... map
Miscellaneous Activities
Blackhawk Center
11101 Jefferson Street • Oregon, IL 61061
815-732-2186
The Blackhawk Center provides a recreation site for the community, as well as offering space for events, group gatherings, and meetings. It features a three lane (10-lap/mile) track, basketball and volleyball counts, aerobics classes, and a weight room. more... mapRuby Nash Recreation Center
304 South Fifth Street • Oregon, IL 61061
815-732-3101
This family recreation facility offers an indoor 25 meter pool, whirlpool, fitness center, and racquetball, volleyball, and basketball courts. more... map
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