Illinois e-News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites visitors to experience the sights, sounds and colors of the season at the Fall Nature Fest at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion on Saturday, Oct. 18.

This free, family-friendly event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will feature guided hikes, interactive exhibits, outdoor recreation, and live animal presentations celebrating Illinois’ natural heritage and the beauty of fall along Lake Michigan. 

Visitors can explore the park’s dunes, prairies and woodlands on naturalist-led hikes. Hands-on activities include archery and other interactive exhibits for all ages. IDNR staff from the William W. Powers State Recreation Area in Chicago will also host live animal demonstrations featuring native wildlife.

For more information or to register, visit the IDNR Eventbrite website.  

“The Fall Nature Festival is a great opportunity to explore Illinois Beach State Park, one of Illinois’ most impressive and unique coastal parks,” said Meg Kelly, director of IDNR’s Coastal Management Program. “Families are invited to explore, learn and enjoy the beauty of autumn along Lake Michigan.”

This event reflects IDNR’s commitment to making nature accessible and welcoming to everyone. Partners include the University of Illinois Extension’s Master Naturalists, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Geological 

Survey, Lake County Forest Preserves, Lake Forest Open Lands, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, and the Illinois Dunesland Restoration Project.

Illinois Beach State Park is a more than 4,100-acre park that stretches 6.5 miles along the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Lake County. It is the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in Illinois, with dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, forests, and an abundance of animal life and vegetation. The park offers a full range of recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, boating and more.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 1925, as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes.

Today, IDNR’s work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.