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Family Weekender: Chicago
Getting there: From McHenry, take River Road south and look for the park signs.
Reference: Maps are available at the main entrance, and at the park office.
Contact: Moraine Hills State Park, (815) 385-1624.
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Surrounding a 48-acre glacial lake named Defiance, the rolling hills of Moraine Hills State Park provide a cool refuge on hot summer days.
Three short, interconnecting loop trails meander through thick vegetation, marshes, bogs and lush oak and hickory forests.
Young explorers can have their pick of hiking or biking the 2-mile Fox River Trail, the 3.7-mile Lake Defiance Trail, or the 3.2-mile trail around Leatherleaf bog.
If fishing is your young ones' interest, the Fox River at the William Stratton Dam is a scenic spot. Kids fish free and adults can buy a fishing license for $5 at the concession stands on the park grounds.
Afterwards visit the nature center, which houses museum-like displays of the area's geographic makeup and area flora and fauna. Interpretive programs are offered on weekends.
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. A schedule of programs is available at the park office.
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
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