With endless natural beauty and adventures to discover at every turn, Illinois is a state made for outdoor activities. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to go for epic outdoor adventures in Illinois. The following is a list of destinations that are bound to bring out your inner-adventurer, from beautiful state parks to fascinating rock formations, rivers, and just about everything in between. So let's get started exploring some outdoor adventures in Illinois!

1. Cache River State Natural Area

The Cache River is a 92 mile river going through southern Illinois. But what's stunning are the large, very old bald cypress trees sticking right out of the river. Be careful, though--there are river snakes!

2. Mississippi Palisades State Park

This stunning park is located at the confluences of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers. Giant stone bluffs provide remarkable overlooks of the rivers below.

3. Garden of the Gods

Consistently named one the top natural destination in Illinois, Garden of the Gods has amazed viewers for years. And we mean many years, as some of these rocks are 320 million years old. The rocks look particularly incredible when the sun hits them.

4. Starved Rock State Park

Oglesby is home to Starved Rock State Park, a park comprising a whopping 2600 acres. There are 18 canyons, tons of hiking trails, and a couple waterfalls.

5. Matthiessen State Park

Nearby in North Utica, Matthiessen State Park also offers loads of hiking opportunities. You will enjoy exploring the upper and lower dells, the main canyon, and the waterfalls.

6. Cave in Rock State Park

You will be super jazzed about this 204 acre park set off the Ohio River. There are 60 foot high hills as well as the giant cave, which has a 55 foot opening. Whoa!

7. Ferne Clyffe State Park

Goreville boasts this 2400 acre park. It's got everything you would want--hiking trails, fishing opportunities and waterfalls. Plus, you can even climb some of these stunning rock formations.

8. Giant City State Park

This 4,000 acre park located in Makanda offers plenty of opportunities for hiking. There are also two amazing places to go rock climbing.

9. Mississippi River

No list of fun adventures in Illinois is complete without this iconic river. Yes, the mighty Mississippi is navigable at parts and is wonderful to take a boat out on. Pictured are some kayakers in Galena.

10. Rock Island Trail State Park

Illinois is full of great places to bike, but one of our favorites is the Rock Island Trail. It's 26 miles long, passing through Peoria and Stark counties.

Where else should readers go to have fun adventures in Illinois? Did any of your favorite destinations miss the list? Be sure to share them with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! And to learn more about any of the above state parks in Illinois, be sure to check out the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website. If you're looking for even more fun things to do in Illinois, check out our list of the best family-friendly hikes in Illinois.