Pyramid State Recreation Area, Illinois

Besides the rad name inherited from an old coal mine, Pyramid State Recreation Area’s 19,701 acres makes it the largest state recreation area in all of Illinois. There are also more than 500 acres of lakes on the property, ranging from a meager 0.1 acres to a substantial 276 acres. That bad boy is known as Super Lake and is held in high regard by anglers seeking largemouth bass and bluegill. Lost Lake (a hike-in lake) and some other small lakes contain a hybrid of green sunfish/bluegill.

Land lovers can take advantage of 16.5 miles of foot, horse and mountain bike trails where you’re bound to encounter a sampling of the wildlife that includes songbirds, deer, squirrels, beavers, rabbits, turkeys, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, weasels, minks, woodchucks and waterfowl. Future plans are in place to add even more trails to the park.