Rivershire Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Rivershire Park is a beautiful park located in the state of Illinois, USA.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
There are several good reasons to visit this park, including its stunning scenery and diverse range of activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, jogging, biking, picnicking, fishing, and bird-watching, among other things.
One of the highlights of Rivershire Park is the Des Plaines River that runs through it. This river offers visitors the opportunity to go kayaking or canoeing, and is home to a variety of fish species, including catfish, bass, and northern pike.
In addition to the river, there are several other points of interest to see in Rivershire Park. These include the park's many picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. There is also a beautiful wetland area that provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including ducks, geese, and herons.
Interesting facts about the area include that Rivershire Park was created in the 1970s as part of a flood control project. The park was designed to help reduce the risk of flooding in the surrounding area, while also providing a recreational space for residents and visitors.
The best time of year to visit Rivershire Park depends on what activities you are interested in. If you are looking to go kayaking or canoeing, the summer months are the best time to visit. If you are interested in bird-watching, the spring and fall are the best times to visit, as this is when many migratory birds pass through the area.
Overall, Rivershire Park is a beautiful and diverse park that offers visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a peaceful place to relax or an active outdoor adventure, this park is definitely worth a visit.
Weather Forecast
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
Daniel Wright Forest Preserve
Olde Mill Park
Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
Whitegate Park
Balzer Park
Pettibone Creek
Skokie Lagoons
Peregrine Lake
Belleau Lake
Banana Lake