State Park

Illinois Beach State Park

Zion · 1 Lake Front Dr Zion IL 60099

Location Details

🎬

Type

State Park

📐

Setting

Interior + Exterior

🚐

Parking

Yes

⚡

Power

Yes

📋

Permit

Required

Visual Character

“The last remaining beach ridge swale habitat in Illinois — 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline with sand dunes, wetlands, dead river landscapes, and wide-open Great Lakes water views. Post-industrial Midwest meets genuine wilderness.”

About this location

ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK PRESERVES THE LAST REMNANT BEACH-RIDGE SWALE ECOSYSTEM IN ILLINOIS ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN. THE VISUAL ENVIRONMENT SHIFTS FROM OPEN GREAT LAKES WATER — VAST AND CINEMATIC — TO SWALE WETLANDS, BLACK OAK SAVANNA, AND DEAD-RIVER CHANNELS WITHIN A COMPACT AREA. THE BROAD SANDY BEACH AND DRAMATIC LAKE HORIZON WORK EQUALLY WELL FOR INTIMATE SCENES AND WIDE ESTABLISHING SHOTS. THE PARK RESORT AND LODGE PROVIDE USABLE INTERIOR SPACES AND SIMPLIFY OVERNIGHT PRODUCTION S