World famous parks often have lesser known neighbor parks that possess greater beauty and adventure. Maybe these neighbor parks feel a little bit prettier because less people are blocking your views? Either way, crown jewel neighbor parks exist everywhere:
- Yellowstone’s impressive little neighbor park to the south isn’t called the “Grand” Tetons for nothing. Everyone has seen Old Faithful, but everyone should see the iconic Teton mountain range.
- California is known for the granite cliffs, skyscraping waterfalls and towering sequoias of Yosemite. Head south again to crown the King. This unmatched park called King’s Canyon is matched well with Sequoia National Park to showcase waterfalls, grizzlies, granite cliffs, and more big trees than you can shake a stick at. But don’t do that. It would be like shaking a detached arm at a fellow human.
- Devils Lake State Park is one of the midwest’s camping, climbing and bouldering meccas. Not to mention, there is a really nice lake. On a hot summer day though, it’s lesser known neighbor, Parfrey’s Glen is like nature’s natural air conditioner. The mossy canyon walls and deep shade are a little piece of Wisconsin heaven.
- It took me years to notice a sign at the entrance of Indiana’s famous Turkey Run State Park, which states that entrance fees for Turkey Run also cover your entrance fee to the nearby Shades State Park. “What is Shades and why haven’t I heard of it?” I thought. Answer: It’s Turkey Run without all the people.
Illinois is home to the corporate offices for the mega insurance company, State Farm. In fact, they have their own private park, which is a story for another time. Anyways, if Illinois is home to State Farm, then it would make sense that our best parks have other lesser known gems close-by, “Like a good neighbor, Matthiessen State Park is there!”
Case in point: Starved Rock. It is Illinois’ most acclaimed park and for good reason. 10 million visitors in the last four years can’t be wrong. However, Matthiessen State Park is so close to it’s beloved neighbor it could be a suburb. The only way you can tell you have left Starved Rock and entered Matthession is by the road signs. This neighbor park is truly amazing, but you’re going to have to find that out for yourself. Good neighbors are hard to find. Word of mouth sometimes provides a hint of who you should get to know and don’t forget, in order to have a good neighbor you have to be one first. You’ve got to walk up to the fence, shake hands and put in some sweat equity before you are sipping Mai-Tais on Poipu Beach with your neighbor bestie. Enlarge your google map surrounding your favorite park. Shake hands with a few neighbors. You may find a few fences, but there also may be a few ice cold sweet teas and a wicker chairs in your future. Like a good neighbor, Matthiessen is there.
Visit: Matthiessen State Park, 2500 Illinois Route 178, Oglesby, IL 61348
https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/Matthiessen.aspx
Consider: I have yet to enjoy the Burgoo Festival in nearby Utica, Illinois, but my friends were shocked that I had not tasted Illnois’ most infamous stew. Maybe we will see each other there this year!
