North Island Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
North Island Park is a popular destination located in the state of Illinois, offering visitors a range of recreational activities and scenic views of the Des Plaines River.
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Summary
One of the primary reasons to visit the park is its vast array of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, biking, picnicking, and birdwatching. The park boasts a 1.5-mile-long paved trail that winds through the natural beauty of the area, offering ideal spots for family outings and group gatherings.
Several points of interest are worth exploring in North Island Park, such as the Des Plaines River Trail, which offers stunning views of the river and surrounding landscapes. There is also a beautiful waterfall located within the park, providing a serene and peaceful setting for relaxation and reflection. Visitors can also explore the park's many natural habitats, including wetlands, prairies, and woodlands, offering an opportunity to witness local wildlife and flora up close.
Interesting facts about North Island Park include the fact that it was established in 1964 and features a rich history of Native American culture and early settlers. The park's unique landscape was formed by the movement of glaciers during the last ice age, creating a diverse terrain of hills, valleys, and riverbanks.
The best time of year to visit North Island Park is during the spring and summer months, when the park's wildflowers are in bloom and the weather is mild. However, the park is open year-round and offers a range of seasonal activities, such as cross-country skiing and ice fishing during the winter months. Overall, North Island Park is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a serene and scenic outdoor experience in Illinois.
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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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Desplaines Conservational Park
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Des Plaines State Conservation Area
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Kankakee River State Park
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South Island Park
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