Glacial Park encompasses 3,400 acres of prairie, savanna, wetlands, and rolling hills. A series of glacial kames shapes the park and gives the landscape a distinctive geological character. Different habitats and landforms take center stage here, offering a variety of ways to explore them while hiking, paddling, and observing nature.

Water, Wildlife, and Trails

Along the shores of Glacial Park is a designated 490-acre nature preserve. It provides habitat for birds such as Canada warblers, great blue herons, egrets, kingfishers, and swallows. More than 200 bird species have also been recorded at Moraine Hills State Park. Lake Defiance offers a different setting: this 48-acre glacial lake has remained largely undeveloped.

Nippersink Creek flows through Glacial Park and is ideal for leisurely paddling through prairie and wetlands and past kames. Kayaking offers views of the landscape and opportunities to observe wildlife. A scenic tourism route in McHenry County combines three activities: hiking in Glacial Park, kayaking on Nippersink Creek, and cycling on the Prairie Trail.

Glacial Park also offers a range of activities in winter, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding; nine miles of trails are available for snowmobiling. For shorter or longer walks, you can compare information about other parks. Coral Woods covers 407 acres and has more than two miles of multi-use trails. Marengo Ridge offers more than five miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails through coniferous and deciduous forests and natural prairie; seasonal trail conditions may vary. The 3.5-mile H.U.M. Trail is designated for cycling and hiking and runs between Marengo and Union. Trail details at Coral Woods may change.

At McHenry Dam State Park, the area provides access to the Fox River and a fishing pier accessible to visitors with disabilities. The snack stand there offers refreshments, fishing supplies, and boat rentals for the Fox River and Lake Defiance.

Railroads and Historic Buildings

At the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, a major collection is housed on a sprawling campus: the museum has the largest collection of historic railroad equipment in America. The campus spans 100 acres and includes more than twenty buildings. The Model Railroad Exhibit features three operating model railroad layouts and another layout under construction. On operating days, the general admission ticket includes unlimited train rides and access to all public areas; a designated train time may apply on special-fare days.

The McHenry County Historical Society and Museum campus is home to the 1843 Gannon Log Cabin and Perkins Hall, a former town hall built in 1885. The Historical Society also offers workshops, classes, satellite exhibits, and programs for school and other groups. A visit to the historic buildings thus offers a look at the society’s range of programs.

In Woodstock, the Old McHenry County Courthouse and the Old Sheriff's House and Jail are located at Woodstock Square; together, they are known as the Old Courthouse Center. The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also in Woodstock, the Opera House offers professional theater, dance, music concerts, and art exhibitions year-round. In Ringwood, the Powers-Walker Historic Site includes a timber-frame house built in 1854 in the Greek Revival style. It was designated a Historic Landmark on February 3, 2015.

A Taste of the County

Dining options in McHenry County include restaurants along the Fox River with riverside views, craft brewery taprooms, farm-to-table options, and international cuisine. The craft brewery scene is another experience visitors can enjoy. Along with nature and cultural attractions, these options offer different ways to plan a trip, with no need for every discovery to have the same focus.

Explore more destinations: Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Mchenry, Johnsburg, Fox River Grove, Spring Grove, Huntley, Madison.

For the broader travel overview: Illinois.