There are nature sanctuaries all over Illinois that create dedicated spaces for wildlife to get away from urban hubs. It's vital that our deer, rabbits and bird populations have protected areas, but we humans need that as well. In Illinois, we have lots of state and local parks that carve out sections of the state to stay green and give us a little headspace. Sinnissippi Park along the Rock River in Sterling, Illinois is a hidden river walk with a disc-golf course that has something for everyone.

Sinnissippi Park and Indian Mounds is the largest park within Sterling.

Sinnissippi Park doubles as the site for the Hopewell Indian Mounds.

The Mounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Do be respectful of the grounds, and be sure to check out these informational signs to better understand the legacy of the park and the people to whom the land used to belong.

The Mounds are located just off the driveway to get into the park.

They are built on the bluffs that rise above the Rock River, which was known as the 'Sinnissippi' to some Native American tribes.

In addition to having immense historical value in the anthropological history of Illinois, the park is also a big part of disc golf's history.

Professional Disc Golf Association Hall of Famer Terry Batten designed the course in 1982.

In total, there are 27 disc golf holes across the Sinnissippi Park.

In addition, the park has other well-maintained recreational facilities including baseball diamonds, fishing spots, a playground, picnic areas and covered patios.

One of the most loved parts of the park is the fact that the Rock River can be seen most of the time.

If you really want, you could go down these steps to the water.

Back up the park, you will be able to see some of the rock outcrops that support the park's elevation above the river.

The Rock River got its name for the rocky earth that the water flows over, but these huge stones add another layer to the name.

All around the park you will spot flora and fauna, untampered by human interference.

Every so often, the Sterling Park District will have to take down a tree to maintain the property, but even so, nature takes over again quite quickly.

A small stream runs through the park as well.

There are so many nooks and crannies to explore all around this park, I hope to stop by some afternoon to check it out.

If you want to turn a jaunt through Sinnissippi Park into a longer journey, follow the path southwest along the Rock River until you reach the Dillon Home Museum (a great spot to check out!). If you cross the Sinnissippi Dam Walking Bridge, you will eventually run into the Hennepin Canal Trail, which is among the best short hikes in Illinois. Do you have a go-to local park or garden where you take day hikes?