National parks near Illinois

There is no national park inside Illinois, but 10 sit within reach. The closest is Indiana Dunes National Park, about 1 hr 58 min from the middle of the state.

Best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park. Getting to Indiana Dunes National Park. Camping at Indiana Dunes National Park. Timed entry and tours at Indiana Dunes National Park.

Closest national parks

Parks ranked by distance from the centre of Illinois
Park	Straight-line distance	Estimated drive	Realistic trip
Indiana Dunes National Park	63.8 mi (103 km)	1 hr 58 min	Doable as a day trip
Gateway Arch National Park	218 mi (350 km)	5 hr 36 min	Best as a weekend
Point Pelee National Park	300 mi (483 km)	7 hr 33 min	Worth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park	314 mi (506 km)	7 hr 54 min	Worth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park	350 mi (563 km)	8 hr 44 min	Worth a longer road trip
Bruce Peninsula National Park	426 mi (686 km)	10 hr 32 min	Worth a longer road trip
New River Gorge National Park	447 mi (719 km)	11 hr 2 min	Worth a longer road trip
Isle Royale National Park	462 mi (744 km)	11 hr 23 min	Worth a longer road trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park	476 mi (766 km)	11 hr 43 min	Worth a longer road trip
Pukaskwa National Park	487 mi (783 km)	11 hr 58 min	Worth a longer road trip

Biggest towns and cities in Illinois

Common questions

Does Illinois have a national park?

No. The nearest national parks are Indiana Dunes National Park, Gateway Arch National Park, and Point Pelee National Park.

What is the closest national park to Illinois?

Indiana Dunes National Park, roughly 63.8 mi (103 km) out and about 1 hr 58 min of driving from the centre of Illinois.