シャンペーン郡の湖・トップ6

You get pretty decent views from a bunch of different spots around the River Bend Forest Preserve, but no perspective is quite like this one. Being across the water from the main preserve entrance, this area usually offers a bit of solitude and great views of the water. A smooth gravel trail leads to this great viewpoint.

During spring, summer, and fall months, the Homer Lake Natural Playscape is open from 9:45am until dusk each day. This area was created so that kids have a natural place to explore with hands and minds. Play comes in the form of exploration of the preserve's ecosystems and wildlife.

Kaufman Park is home to some paved paths and the popular Kaufman Lake. There are numerous picnic sites and day use areas around the shores of the reservoir. You are allowed to fish the waters (no ice fishing), and non-motorized boat crafts can be used on the lake, such as canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards.

Crystal Lake Park is a popular spot for fishing, walking, running, and biking. There is a small network of paved paths and sidewalks in the park that create intertwining loops with trails crossing back and forth over the narrow lake. There are numerous pavilions, picnic areas, and benches spread out along the paths and around the lake.

Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, a 900-acre county park, sits in a rolling wooded area along the Sangamon River. This preserve features several popular areas, including the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, and Lake of the Woods Golf Course.

Homer Lake on Homer Lake Forest Preserve is an 814-acre preserve with scenic trails and a great opportunity for recreation year-round, from sledding in winter to fishing and boating in summer. Homer Lake is home to a horse trail once traveled by Abraham Lincoln, now marked by a Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibit, and a 14-acre site of the early 1900s "destination park" on the Salt Fork River.