Get out of town
12 nearby parks, towns and places to explore, ordered by straight-line distance.
Things to do19 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (22 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Zoo in Missouri, Missouri.
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State park19 miles northwest · straight-line distance
Historic site in Missouri, United States.
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State park19 miles west · straight-line distance
State park in Missouri, United States.
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23 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 30 min by car (28 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States.
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Town25 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (29 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Exurban suburb of St. Louis, located in far western St. Louis County, Missouri, United States.
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Town26 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 30 min by car (29 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States.
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Things to do27 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (32 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Amusement park operated by Enchanted Parks.
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State park27 miles west · straight-line distance
State park in Wildwood, Missouri.
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Town30 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 40 min by car (36 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States.
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National park site86 miles north · straight-line distance
National historic site in Illinois, USA.
HistoryWildlife viewingAgency site ↗
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Town86 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 30 min by car (97 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Capital city of the U.S. state of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County.
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95 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 55 min by car (118 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Recreated former frontier village in Menard County, Illinois.
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Driving times are typical estimates from the city center without live traffic, Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances are measured in a straight line from the city, not by road. Some older drive-time estimates have no reliable date and do not reflect current traffic; routes to large parks or waterfronts may vary. Check the destination entrance before leaving. Place descriptions come from Wikidata. Photo credits include capture dates when available; photos may not show current conditions.
40 recreation areas and campgrounds within 121 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.
10 miles southwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service
Ulysses S. Grant is known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. He first met Julia Dent, his future wife, at her family home, named White Haven.
History
28 miles northwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1946 as part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge to protect and enhance habitat for migratory birds.
BikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized Boating
37 miles northwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Represents the head of navigation for the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and is located in downtown Minneapolis. The USAF Visitor Center is located at the Upper Lock and is open to the public year around.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedPicnicking
45 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 55 min by car (50 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Dam West Campground is a recreation area situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
Accessible SwimmingBikingBoatingCampingFishing
45 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 55 min by car (49 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Dam West Day Use Area is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingRanger programsSwimming
45 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 55 min by car (50 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Dam West Spillway is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BoatingCampingFishing
46 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Water-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hunting. Expecially attractive to sailboaters. Illinois' largest lake.
BoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnicking
46 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 15 min by car (52 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Dam East Spillway Day Use Area is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHistory
46 miles south · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge was established as an individual refuge on May 31, 2000.
ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor Boat
47 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (52 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Dam East-McNair Campground is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingSwimmingWater sportsWildlife viewing
47 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
The Rivers Project is responsible for the operation and maintenance of five dams and seven locks, 300 miles of dikes and revetment and 110,000 acres of public lands and waters for the authorized purpose of maintaining a nine-foot…
BoatingCampingHistoryPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing
48 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (53 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Dam East Recreation Area is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingPicnicking
50 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 15 min by car (62 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Coles Creek Day Use Area is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHuntingSwimmingWater sportsWildlife viewing
50 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 10 min by car (58 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Keyesport Recreation Area is situated on the western shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BoatingCampingFishingPicnickingSwimming
51 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 15 min by car (61 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Coles Creek Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingRanger programsSwimming
51 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 15 min by car (62 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
The Lotus Group Area is on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BoatingCampingHuntingRanger programsWildlife viewing
52 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 15 min by car (63 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Boulder Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingRanger programs
52 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 15 min by car (63 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Boulder Day Use Area is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingWater sportsWildlife viewing
55 miles northwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 with funds from the purchase of migratory waterfowl stamps. It lies in Pike County, Missouri, Pool 25 about one mile east of the small town of Annada, Missouri.
BackpackingBirdingBoatingHikingHuntingNature educationPaddlingPhotography
75 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUSDA Forest Service
The Council Bluff Recreation Area is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors.
CampingFishingHuntingSwimmingWildlife viewing
75 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (99 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
North Sandusky Campground is located on the western shore of Rend Lake near the Sandusky cove— the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best.
BikingBirdingBoatingCampingFishingSwimmingWater Access
75 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (94 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service
Silver Mines Campground is located on the St. Francis River in the Mark Twain National Forest. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities and abundant historic and geological wonders.
BoatingCampingFishingHikingSwimmingWildlife viewing
76 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (101 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
South Sandusky Day Use Area— the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land.
BikingBirdingBoatingCampingCanoeingKayakingRanger programsSwimming
78 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Rend Lake, IL, located in the heart of southern Illinois, is a natural haven for wildlife and a recreational haven for visitors. Rend Lake consists of 18,900 acres of water and 20,000 acres of land.
BoatingCampingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnickingWater sports
86 miles north · straight-line distanceNational Park Service
Abraham Lincoln believed in the ideal that everyone in America should have the opportunity to improve their economic and social condition. Lincoln’s life was the embodiment of that idea.
HistoryWildlife viewing
86 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge is 3,645 acres and is located in an area that was historically known for its ability to sustain fish and wildlife along the east side of the Illinois River in Morgan and Cass counties, near the town of…
BirdingBoatingFishingHikingNature educationPaddlingPhotographyPicnicking
90 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 5, 1947. The refuge is made up of 44,000 acres of land with a great diversity of flora and fauna.
BackpackingBikingBirdingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback riding
92 miles north · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
The Rivers Project is responsible for the operation and maintenance of five dams and seven locks, 300 miles of dikes and revetment and 110,000 acres of public lands and waters for the authorized purpose of maintaining a nine-foot…
BoatingHikingHistoryWater sportsWildlife viewing
94 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Shelbyville is located in the heart of central Illinois. It offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for people of all ages. Lake Shelbyville consists of 11,100 acres of water and 23,000 acres of land.
BoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education
98 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUSDA Forest Service
BackpackingBikingBird WatchingBoatingCampingCanoeingDispersed CampingFishing
99 miles northwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Offers a blend of picturesque natural resources and modern recreation facilities to suit everyone. Three campgrounds boast shaded full hookup and electrical sites.
BoatingCampingClimbingFishingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
107 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Clearwater Lake is noted for the grandeur of its hills, natural springs, and splendid beauty. Trails and a watchable wildlife area are a sightseer?s delight.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing
110 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUSDA Forest Service
CampingClimbingFishingHikingHorseback ridingPicnickingSwimming
113 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge was authorized on June 26, 1990 under the Emergency Wetland Resources Act of 1986. The refuge will eventually encompass 35,000 acres.
ArcheryBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized Boating
115 miles south · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
The refuge contains 21,592 acres and lies in a basin formed in an ancient abandoned channel of the Mississippi River.
BoatingFishingHikingHuntingNature educationPaddlingPhotographyRanger programs
117 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Wappapello Lake, MO is a 45,000-acre project nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on the St. Francis River in Southeast Missouri.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education
118 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1993 to restore and protect wetland habitats at the confluence of the Illinois and Spoon Rivers and to help fulfill international obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties…
BirdingBoatingFishingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized BoatingPhotographyPicnicking
118 miles southwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park area to protect a river system. The Current and Jacks Fork rivers are two of the finest floating rivers found anywhere.
CampingFishingHikingHistoryHorse CampingHuntingPaddlingWildlife viewing
119 miles northwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
What is now known as Great River National Wildlife Refuge began in 1958 as part of Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawling refuge which included units along the Mississippi River in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.
ArcheryBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNature education
121 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 for the main purpose of providing sanctuary for the millions of birds that migrate along the Illinois River.
BirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNature educationNon-Motorized Boating
From the National Park Service; closures, dangers and cautions only. Check the park's page before you go.
Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 9, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.
This guide includes Butterfly House, Missouri Botanical Garden, First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, Castlewood State Park, Mascoutah, Wildwood. Places are ordered by straight-line distance. Confirm visitor access, opening hours and current travel conditions before choosing a trip.
Approximately 19 miles west in a straight line; driving takes about 25 min over 22 road miles in typical traffic (Geoapify, checked October 2026). This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.
Approximately 19 miles northwest in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.
Approximately 19 miles west in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.
Recreation.gov lists 16 campgrounds within 76 miles, including Dam West Campground (45 miles east), Dam West Day Use (45 miles east), Dam West Spillway (45 miles east). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.