Illinois Beach State Park

[jdmetzger]

Does anyone have any information/experience with Illinois Beach State Park? I'm thinking about spending a night there on my way to the rally (I know it's close to the rally site, but I'm not showing up on Tuesday at 10pm).

Is it a nice place? How are the facilities? OR, do you have something close to that location that would be even better? It seems to be popular and appears pretty nice. PLUS, I can travel on some of Wisconsin's "Rustic Roads" on my way to the rally site. :thumb

[wezul]

http://dnr.state.il.us/LANDS/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/ILBEACH.HTM

Decide for yourself. It's just a beach IMHO.

Did anyone mention that it's a stones throw away from Zion Nuclear Power Station?

[jdmetzger]

http://dnr.state.il.us/LANDS/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/ILBEACH.HTM

Decide for yourself. It's just a beach IMHO.

Did anyone mention that it's a stones throw away from Zion Nuclear Power Station?

That's the site I found most of my info. They have a map on there that shows a fair number of campsites. I'm just looking for an overnight thing.

As for the nuclear power station, I'm not bothered. I live less than an hour from two. Davis Besse is the station that had recently was found to have acid eating into the reactor head, and a thin sheet of stainless was the only thing keeping in a reactor breach. Now repaired. The other is Fermi II. Fermi I (same site) had a "partial meltdown" in the late 60's. For me, being near only one is an improvement. :heh

[wezul]

That's the site I found most of my info. They have a map on there that shows a fair number of campsites. I'm just looking for an overnight thing.

As for the nuclear power station, I'm not bothered. I live less than an hour from two. Davis Besse is the station that had recently was found to have acid eating into the reactor head, and a thin sheet of stainless was the only thing keeping in a reactor breach. Now repaired. The other is Fermi II. Fermi I (same site) had a "partial meltdown" in the late 60's. For me, being near only one is an improvement. :heh

:laugh
Cool. Just thought I'd throw that out in case it might be a concern. Lived in northern Illinois all my life. Spent many summers in what is now know as Beach Park as a teenager (was then rural Lake County northeast of Waukegan, which is the next town south of Zion/Winthrop Harbor). I can think of worse places to camp but I didn't want you to get all excited because in my mind, it's just a beach, nothing spectacular. Close to the Rally site? Yes, relative to Toledo I guess it is but you'll still have a 2 hr plus ride to the Rally.

Myself, I'm going to head west from Glen Ellyn first, then swing north and work my way into West Bend from the west. I do not want to do the slab. I think Sheridan Road runs way up into Wisconsin, it runs along the lake and is a nice drive but don't count on making time.

[jdmetzger]

:laugh
Cool. Just thought I'd throw that out in case it might be a concern. Lived in northern Illinois all my life. Spent many summers in what is now know as Beach Park as a teenager (was then rural Lake County northeast of Waukegan, which is the next town south of Zion/Winthrop Harbor). I can think of worse places to camp but I didn't want you to get all excited because in my mind, it's just a beach, nothing spectacular. Close to the Rally site? Yes, relative to Toledo I guess it is but you'll still have a 2 hr plus ride to the Rally.

Myself, I'm going to head west from Glen Ellyn first, then swing north and work my way into West Bend from the west. I do not want to do the slab. I think Sheridan Road runs way up into Wisconsin, it runs along the lake and is a nice drive but don't count on making time.

I decided there was no reason to stay in Toledo overnight before starting my trip, so I'm just going to leave from work on Tuesday. That should help get me through Chicago in a "lighter traffic" time. Traffic isn't a big concern, but it will still be nice to miss rush hour. All in all, I should get to IBSP just in time to setup before it gets dark. That can be followed by nice riding the next day, before arriving at the rally (volunteering!). Tuesday should be my longest day on the slab, for my whole 15 day trip. :thumb

[Rasbutan]

If you want to make Wisconsin, Bong state park isn't bad and its right across the border.

Not sure what the cost is for the illinois park, might be worth a quick look.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/bong/

Just sayin.....

[snoone]

If you want to make Wisconsin, Bong state park isn't bad and its right across the border.

Not sure what the cost is for the illinois park, might be worth a quick look.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/bong/

Just sayin.....

Anything hiding in those trees we should know about at Bong State Park!:ha :burnout

[dmr]

We travelled through the same area two weeks ago and noticed the Bong State Park sign. I did one of those cartoon double-takes, had a chuckle, and wondered how many will be staying there for the rally.

Muscatine, Iowa, has Weed Park. It was a favorite location for senior skip day when I was in high school.

DR

[mjm4967]

I grew up North of that area. Whenever we drove by we'd always joke about it. It is a pretty area. If you can ride another hour or so North of where you planned on it would be a nice place to camp