Hawthorne Sports Complex
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hawthorne Sports Complex is a premier sports and entertainment venue located in the state of Illinois.
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Summary
It is one of the largest and most comprehensive sports complexes in the country, offering a wide range of activities and events for visitors of all ages.
There are several good reasons to visit Hawthorne Sports Complex. For sports enthusiasts, the complex boasts state-of-the-art facilities for basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, and many other sports. The complex also hosts a variety of tournaments, leagues, and clinics throughout the year. Additionally, the complex is home to a fitness center, featuring top-of-the-line equipment and personal training services.
For those looking for entertainment, Hawthorne Sports Complex offers a range of options. Visitors can enjoy a game of mini-golf, go-karting, laser tag, or arcade games. The complex also hosts regular concerts and other live events, featuring both local and national performers.
One of the main points of interest at Hawthorne Sports Complex is the go-kart track, which is one of the largest and most exciting in the state. Another popular attraction is the indoor water park, which offers a variety of slides, pools, and other water features.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the complex was originally built as a horse racing track in the early 20th century. The track was later converted into a sports complex in the 1980s, and has since undergone several renovations and expansions.
The best time of year to visit Hawthorne Sports Complex depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoor activities, such as go-karting and mini-golf, while winter is ideal for indoor sports and entertainment, such as the water park and arcade. Regardless of the season, there is always something to do at Hawthorne Sports Complex.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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