Lakeside Park East

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lakeside Park East is a popular attraction located in Crystal Lake, Illinois.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

There are several good reasons to visit this park, including its beautiful location on the shores of Crystal Lake, and the many activities available to visitors. Some of the key points of interest include hiking trails, a beach area, a playground, and picnic areas. There are also opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water sports. Interesting facts about the area include that it was once owned by the railroad company, and that it was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. The best time of year to visit is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. Overall, Lakeside Park East is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends.

       

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