Pennywood Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pennywood Park is a beautiful and serene park located in the state of Illinois.


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Summary

This park offers visitors a wide range of activities and attractions, making it an ideal place for families, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts. There are several good reasons to visit Pennywood Park, including its serene natural beauty, hiking and biking trails, and opportunities for fishing and picnicking.

One of the most popular attractions in Pennywood Park is the large lake, which offers visitors a great place to fish, swim, kayak, and enjoy various water sports. The park also features several hiking and biking trails that wind through the beautiful wooded areas, offering visitors a chance to explore the park's natural beauty. Other points of interest in the park include a playground, basketball court, and picnic areas.

Visitors to Pennywood Park can also enjoy a variety of interesting facts about the areas, including its rich history and diverse wildlife. The park is home to many species of birds, deer, foxes, and other wildlife, making it a great place for wildlife enthusiasts. There are also several historical sites located within the park, including an old homestead and a Civil War era cemetery.

The best time of year to visit Pennywood Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park is bustling with activity. However, visitors can also enjoy the park in the fall when the leaves start to change, and the park takes on a beautiful autumnal glow. Additionally, the park is open year-round, making it a great destination for outdoor activities anytime of the year.

       

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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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