Parks Manager

National parks near Knox County, Illinois

Knox County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Galesburg — it reaches the same parks.

The closest national park to Knox County, Illinois is Gateway Arch National Park — about 160 mi (258 km) away, or roughly 4 hr 14 min of driving.

Nothing here is a comfortable day trip — the nearest parks are better as an overnight or a weekend.

National parks near Knox County

Parks ranked by distance from Knox County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Gateway Arch National Park160 mi (258 km)4 hr 14 minBest as a weekend
Indiana Dunes National Park177 mi (285 km)4 hr 38 minBest as a weekend
Mammoth Cave National Park345 mi (556 km)8 hr 37 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park413 mi (664 km)10 hr 13 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park459 mi (739 km)11 hr 19 minWorth a longer road trip
Hot Springs National Park467 mi (751 km)11 hr 30 minWorth a longer road trip
Isle Royale National Park503 mi (810 km)12 hr 22 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park521 mi (839 km)12 hr 47 minWorth a longer road trip
Bruce Peninsula National Park532 mi (855 km)13 hr 2 minWorth a longer road trip
New River Gorge National Park533 mi (858 km)13 hr 4 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Knox County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Knox County?

Gateway Arch National Park, about 160 mi (258 km) away and roughly 4 hr 14 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Knox County in a day?

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.