Kings Hill Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Kings Hill Park in Illinois is a scenic, lesser-known gem celebrated for its panoramic hilltop views, peaceful trails, and vibrant seasonal foliage.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Nestled in the Shawnee Hills region, it offers a serene escape ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk with no entry fee. Fall is the best time to visit for colorful vistas. Top highlights include the Kings Hill Overlook, the Ridge Loop Trail, and sightings of native deer and songbirds. Though small, its quiet charm and elevated views make it a standout in southern Illinois.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References