Doerhoefer Park

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Parks

Illinois

Nearby: Highland & 39th Park Lee And Grant Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Doerhoefer Park is located in the state of Illinois and is a popular spot for visitors due to its beautiful scenery and variety of activities available.

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Summary

The park features hiking trails, picnic areas, and a large lake for fishing and boating.

One of the main attractions at Doerhoefer Park is the extensive trail system which offers visitors the opportunity to explore the park's diverse landscape. The trails wind through lush forests, open fields, and along the picturesque lake shore.

Other notable points of interest in the park include a large playground for children, a disc golf course, and several picnic areas for families and groups. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts.

Interestingly, Doerhoefer Park was once a site for coal mining in the early 1900s. Today, visitors can still see remnants of the mining operations, including a large concrete structure that was used to transport coal.

The best time to visit Doerhoefer Park is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant and the park is in full bloom. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the fall when the leaves change colors and the park takes on a beautiful autumnal hue.

Overall, Doerhoefer Park is a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Illinois.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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