From angling to hiking, from viewing rare plants to observing migratory waterfowl, Moraine Hills State Park offers you a recreational bounty. Located in the northeast corner of Illinois, the park is 3 miles south of McHenry. McHenry Dam, on the Fox River, is on the park''s western border. Roughly half of the park''s 1,690 acres is composed of wetlands and lakes.
Fishing is available on both Lake Defiance and on the Fox River. Regulations are posted at both sites. To help preserve the natural state of Lake Defiance, and because of the dangerous peat shoreline, bank fishing is prohibited except from designated piers along the boardwalk. The McHenry Dam area provides access to the Fox River, and a fishing pier accessible to disabled visitors is available.
Private watercraft are not allowed, but rental boats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and electric trolling motors may be used. While trailers are prohibited in the park, private boats may be brought in by car top for use on the river.
More than 10 miles of trails make Moraine Hills popular for hikers, skiers and cyclists, and provide one of the park''s main recreation features. Three trails, surfaced with crushed limestone, wind their way through the park and offer you exceptional scenic and wildlife viewing opportunities. Enjoy the 2-mile Fox River Trail, the 3.2-mile Leatherleaf Bog Trail, and the 3.7-mile Lake Defiance Trail. To keep you on track, trails are color coded and one way. Our fourth trail, the River Road trail is paved, and is 1.7 miles long.
If your visit to Moraine Hills includes picnicking, you can choose from tables in shaded or open settings throughout the park''s 10 day use areas. Each area offers parking, drinking water, and rustic toilet facilities. Flush toilets are available at the McHenry Dam concession building and at the park office. Pike Marsh, Pine Hills, Whitetail Prairie and the Northern Woods day use areas provide picnic shelters.
The park features two conveniently located concession stands, one at the McHenry Dam and another on the lower level of the park office, on Lake Defiance. Both provide not only refreshments, but also boat rentals, bait, and tackle. The McHenry Dam Concession is open 7 days a week from April until October. The Lake Defiance Concession is open on weekends and holidays, when weather permits.
