Buffalo Rock State Park 1300 North 27th Road, Utica, IL 61350, 815-433-2220, Located on a bluff, which was once an island in the Illinois River, visitors are afforded a magnificent view of the river and surrounding area. This 298 acre park offers picnic areas, ball diamonds, biking, bird witching, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

Illini State Park 2660 East 2350th Road, Utica, IL 61301, Marseilles, 815-795-2448, This 510 acre park features rustic Civilian Conservation Corps buildings, riverside picnic areas, and beautiful views. The Great Falls of the Illinois, where the river drops three feet, creating beautiful roaring rapids can be found along the northern edge of the park. Ballfields, fishing, hiking, biking, and cross country skiing can all be enjoyed at this state park.

Illinois & Michigan Canal Trail Starting in Joliet and ending in LaSalle, IL, 815-942-0796, Completed in 1848, the canal which measured 60 feet wide and 6 feet deep and stretched nearly 100 miles, provided the first water route from the East Coast to the Gulf of Mexico by connecting Lake Michigan to the Illinois River. Fifteen locks were built on the canal to enable barges, pulled by mules and horses, to navigate the canal. In 1933 the Illinois & Michigan Canal was closed, and was subsequently developed for recreational activities. It features 60 miles of tow paths, that now serve as hiking, biking and snowmobile trails.

LaSalle Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area 2660 East 2350th Road, Utica, IL 61341, Located in Marseilles, 815-357-1608, This 2,058 acre manmade lake features rocky shorelines and offers opportunities for fishing, bird watching and picnicking. LaSalle Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area is a waterfowl refuge.

Starved Rock State Park Route 178, Utica, IL 61373, 815-667-4726, Hiking, canoe rentals, horseback riding, motorboat rentals, boat rides, guided hikes, picnicing, fishing and more are available at this state park. A lodge, campground, and visitor's center are all located on-site. The park features fascinating rock formations, and 18 canyons formed by glacial meltwater and stream erosion, which cut through tree-covered, sandstone bluffs for four miles along the south side of the Illinois River.

LaSalle Speedway 578 East US Route Six, LaSalle, IL 61301, 815-223-6900, The Illinois Valley's largest outdoor entertainment complex, this speedway offers stock car racing and more! more...

LaSalle Family Bowl 1015 First Street, LaSalle, IL 61350, 815-223-6026, Enjoy a family night on the lanes at LaSalle Family Bowl.

Black Sock Training Stable 1998 North Thirty-First Road, Ottawa, IL 61350, 815-434-4717, A variety of trial rides are offered for both beginning and advanced riders at this stable, including personalized professional instruction, and scheduled rides. They also offer day camps which are by reservation only.

Starved Rock Stables Highway 71, Utica, IL 61348, Oglesby, 815-667-3026, Enjoy guided trail rides, hayrides, bonfires and much more at this stable. Starved Rock Stables are open April through November, weather permitting.

Canoe on the Vermilion 1903 East 1251st Road, Utica, IL 61364, Streator, IL, 815-673-3218, This company provides canoe equipment, transportation and instruction onf four different Illinois waterways. They offer an outdoor experience for every level of sportsman and nature lovers. more...

River Adventures Skydive Chicago, Utica, IL 61350, 815-434-2142, From April to November, experience the Fox River on a canoe , kayak or hydrobike! The friendly and experienced staff at River Adventures can help outfit you for an adventure of your own. more...

Vermillion River Rafting 781 North 2249th Road, Utica, IL 61348, Oglesby, IL, 815-667-5142, You will love the experience of white water rafting in North Illinois! These professionals offer the ultimate rafting adventure on the Vermillion. more...

Buffalo Range Shooting Park 1252 North 2803rd Road, Utica, IL 61350, 815-433-2471, Buffalo Range consists of a rifle range, pistol range, a plinking range, a shotgun range with spring-loaded manual throwers and an auxiliary range.  more...

Cliffs Insane Terrain, The 2400 East Bluff Street, Utica, IL 61301, Marseilles, 815-795-5200, This off road park offers extreme fun! The area can be ridden by ATVs, bikes, jeeps and more. THere is even a Kiddie Corral for the little ones. There are miles of trails for the beginner all the way to the advanced rider. more...

Fox Valley Off Road First Avenue, Utica, IL 60557, Wedron, IL, 815-431-9913, This moto cross trach has 10-12 miles of multi-directional, and un-marked trails, and a SX Style track. with a watering system. They also have a kids only track and an enclosed fence area for the first time riders to ride.  more...