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Beaver Dam State Park: A Hidden Gem in Central Illinois
Tucked away in the countryside of west-central Illinois, Beaver Dam State Park is a hidden gem filled with peaceful lake views, wooded hiking trails, and beautiful boardwalks winding through the marsh. Located just southwest of Carlinville, this 750-acre park doesn’t get nearly as much attention as some of Illinois’ more popular destinations, but it’s well worth exploring! We’ve visited in different seasons, but fall is my favorite time to explore Beaver Dam State Park. The colorful leaves reflecting off the…
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Explore an Illinois Bayou at Cache River Natural Area
You may feel transported to a Louisiana bayou when you first visit Cache River State Natural Area. This unique landscape in southern Illinois preserves a rare remainder of the cypress swamps and bottomland hardwood forests that once existed in the Ohio River floodplain. Settlers attempted in the past to drain the wetlands and convert the land to farmland. Today, the Cache River Wetlands is one of the few remaining wetlands in the area and provides habitat for a diverse variety…
