Illinois Beach State Park

A pair of trees at Illinois Beach State Park at Zion, Illinois. provide isolated shade for beach-goers.
A pair of trees at Illinois Beach State Park at Zion, Illinois. provide isolated shade for beach-goers.
A banded piping plover on the beach at a location that once held many breeding pairs of piping plover's. I later discovered this plover was 7 weeks old and the first one born in 2017 to the Great Lakes Piping Plover population. It was born on June 4th in Manistee Michigan. What an amazing little bird.
A pair of endangered piping plovers setting up a nest. I was very lucky to see this as the few nesting sites in Illinois are all off limits due to their endangered status. The US Fish and Wildlife Service monitors and protects the nesting sites but this pair decided to nest in a new area that I found over the weekend. What an incredible thrill.
A close up of the piping plover which came to within 5 feet of me. These endangered little birds are doing better but they still have a long way to go before they are out of trouble.

Plan a trip to see Illinois Beach State Park

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago

Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago

4 out of 5
Downtown Chicago
Price was £1,124, price is now £819 per person
£819
per person
19 Mar - 24 Mar
found 1 day ago
Return flight included
Dublin (DUB) to Chicago (ORD)
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,790 reviews)
Love the room! Very ritzy!!

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

The Langham, Chicago

The Langham, Chicago

5 out of 5
Downtown Chicago
Price was £1,566, price is now £1,180 per person
£1,180
per person
19 Mar - 24 Mar
found 1 day ago
Return flight included
Dublin (DUB) to Chicago (ORD)
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
Gorgeous property, facilities, and location.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Level Chicago – Old Town

Level Chicago – Old Town

4 out of 5
Downtown Chicago
Price was £1,099, price is now £837 per person
£837
per person
19 Mar - 24 Mar
found 1 day ago
Return flight included
Dublin (DUB) to Chicago (ORD)
9/10 Wonderful! (380 reviews)
My girlfriend and I had an awesome time enjoying the space for a fun girls night out. Would recommend to anyone!

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

Popular places to visit

Panoranic view of the Negev desert hills near the Gaza Strip bondary at sunset

Canaan Park

Explore the great outdoors at Canaan Park, a lovely green space in Beach Park.

Canaan Park
Cirrus clouds and a cottonwood tree at North Dunes Nature Preserve at Illinois Beach State Park at Lake Michigan

North Dunes Nature Preserve

You can take time to visit North Dunes Nature Preserve during your travels to Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

North Dunes Nature Preserve

Carmel Park

Explore the great outdoors at Carmel Park, a lovely green space in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Carmel Park

Ophir Park

Ophir Park is just one of the places to see in Zion, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Ophir Park

Platen Press Printing Museum

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Platen Press Printing Museum in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Platen Press Printing Museum

Zion City Hall

After visiting Zion City Hall, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Zion. Wander the beaches and lakeside in this family-friendly area.

Zion City Hall

Top Hotel Deals

Days Inn by Wyndham Waukegan

Days Inn by Wyndham Waukegan

2 out of 5
630 N Green Bay Road Waukegan IL
Days Inn by Wyndham Waukegan
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

Great Wolf Lodge Illinois

3 out of 5
1700 Nations Dr Gurnee IL
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Waukegan Great Lakes

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Waukegan Great Lakes

2 out of 5
619 S Green Bay Rd Waukegan IL
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Waukegan Great Lakes
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gurnee, IL

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gurnee, IL

2.5 out of 5
5420 Grand Ave Gurnee IL
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gurnee, IL
Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Waukegan Gurnee

Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Waukegan Gurnee

3 out of 5
1440 S White Oak Dr Waukegan IL
Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Waukegan Gurnee
Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa

Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa

3 out of 5
26325 N Riverwoods Blvd Lake Forest IL
Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa
Staybridge Suites, Lincolnshire by IHG

Staybridge Suites, Lincolnshire by IHG

3 out of 5
100 Barclay Blvd Lincolnshire IL
Staybridge Suites, Lincolnshire by IHG
Hyatt Regency Deerfield

Hyatt Regency Deerfield

4 out of 5
1750 Lake Cook Rd Deerfield IL
Hyatt Regency Deerfield
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago North Shore Deerfield

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago North Shore Deerfield

4 out of 5
1445 Lake Cook Rd Deerfield IL
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago North Shore Deerfield
See all 1,978 properties in Illinois Beach State Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.