Parks Manager

National parks near Mason County, Illinois

The closest national park to Mason County, Illinois is Gateway Arch National Park — about 117 mi (188 km) away, or roughly 3 hr 13 min of driving.

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

National parks near Mason County

Parks ranked by distance from Mason County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Gateway Arch National Park117 mi (188 km)3 hr 13 minBest as a weekend
Indiana Dunes National Park173 mi (278 km)4 hr 32 minBest as a weekend
Mammoth Cave National Park296 mi (476 km)7 hr 27 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park400 mi (644 km)9 hr 55 minWorth a longer road trip
Hot Springs National Park435 mi (701 km)10 hr 45 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park441 mi (709 km)10 hr 53 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park473 mi (761 km)11 hr 39 minWorth a longer road trip
New River Gorge National Park496 mi (798 km)12 hr 11 minWorth a longer road trip
Bruce Peninsula National Park540 mi (869 km)13 hr 13 minWorth a longer road trip
Isle Royale National Park543 mi (874 km)13 hr 18 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Mason County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Mason County?

Gateway Arch National Park, about 117 mi (188 km) away and roughly 3 hr 13 min of driving.

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

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.