Michigan may be the Great Lakes State and Minnesota the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but Illinois also lays claim to some pretty spectacular bodies of fresh water. In fact, we'd venture to say that the best lakes in Illinois aren't only the finest in the state, but also some of the most extraordinary lakes in the country! From the endlessly dazzling (and massive) Lake Michigan to small, cerulean blue inland lakes -- and pretty much everything in between -- here are 14 of the best Illinois lakes you simply must experience.
1. Lake Michigan (Chicago)
2. Lake Shelbyville (Shelby and Moultrie Counties)
Lake Shelbyville is home to refreshing waters and a beautiful beach that Illinoisans love to wade in during the summer months.
3. Rend Lake (Franklin and Jefferson counties)
Rend Lake is a magnificent oasis in Illinois. The area around the South Sandusky Campground on the west side of this gigantic lake is particularly beautiful. This Illinois beach will make you feel anywhere but in the Midwest. Rend Lake stretches for 13 miles, so there are many places where you can't see the other side and you can pretend you're at the ocean. The lake is located in southern Illinois, just south of Mt. Vernon. For a perfect summer day, enjoy the beaches or take a boat out on the lake.
4. Lake of Egypt (Lake of Egypt)
A place of pure paradise, Lake of Egypt is a reservoir that covers an expanse of 2,300 acres with 93 miles of shoreline and water depths that range from 18 feet to 52 feet. Southern Illinois Power Cooperative, or SIPC, developed Lake of Egypt in 1962 by damming the southern fork of the Saline River. The purpose was for cooling water for the power plant. Although the company owns the lake and shoreline, it is open for public use. What the SIPC created has become a place of enjoyment for many locals and families vacationing over the years.
5. Devil's Kitchen Lake (Williamson County)
6. Lake Springfield (Springfield)
One of many reasons to visit Springfield, Illinois, is the eponymous lake, which is impossibly charming (look at that lighthouse!) and even boasts its own zoo, the Henson Robinson Zoo, on its shores!
7. Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
When visiting Horseshoe Lake, you might just feel like you are in the deep South. Bald cypress, tupelo gum, and swamp cottonwood trees are trees you don't generally run into. There are 20 miles of shoreline for you to explore here at Horseshoe Lake, one of the best lakes in Illinois.
8. Little Grassy Lake (Jackson and Williamson County)
Known for its crystal-clear waters, Little Grassy Lake is a 1,000-acre reservoir located in southern Illinois near Carbondale. It can be found within the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.
9. Sangchris Lake (Christian and Sangamon Counties)
Billed as an angler's paradise, Sangchris Lake, here you can find largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bullhead, and carp.
10. Lake Mattoon (Coles County)
11. Lake Argyle (Colchester)
A hidden gem, Lake Argyle is a branch-shaped body of water and is surrounded by a 1,700-acre park with about five miles of trails throughout. The lake is about 93 acres and is located near Colchester in McDonough County, which is in the west central part of the state.
12. Lake Galena (Galena)
Lake Galena is a beautiful body of water that's great for all sorts of recreation, including waterfall chasing!
13. Lake Decatur (Decatur)
A lovely lake that's a popular place for waterfront dining in Illinois, when constructed, Lake Decatur was one of the largest artificially constructed lakes in Illinois. It is 21,000 acres in size with an average depth of around eight feet.
14. Lake Opeka (Des Plaines)
Beautiful Lake Opeka is a small, 40-acre lake in Des Plaines, Illinois.
There's nothing more marvelous than a day on the water, and we hope the above list of the best lakes in Illinois inspires you to get out and explore this beautiful state of ours!
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