Park listing
William W Powers State Recreation Area
12949 South Avenue O, Chicago, IL 60633
William W.
Trip starter
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William W Powers State Recreation Area
This listing is currently using verified trip data while licensed photography is being finalized.
Drive time
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Bathrooms
Restroom coverage on site
Trailer fit
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Weather
Monthly weather notes pending
Why this park
Facilities
Restrooms are surfaced in the current listing data.
Trailer fit
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Activity mix
121 named routes are surfaced for hiking and activity planning.
About this park
William W. Powers State Recreation Area, located on Wolf Lake on Chicago's far southeast side at the Illinois-Indiana state line, offers opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in the city for residents and visitors.
Read full park description
William W. Powers State Recreation Area, located on Wolf Lake on Chicago's far southeast side at the Illinois-Indiana state line, offers opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in the city for residents and visitors. A 160-acre recreation area was acquired by the State of Illinois in 1947 and became known as the Wolf Lake State Recreation Area. Other acquisitions have now increased the area to 580 acres, of which 419 acres are water. In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly approved changing the name of the site to honor the memory of William W. Powers, a former state legislator, who was well-known for his deep interest in the promotion of recreation for the residents of his district. Wolf Lake provides outstanding fishing, with largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, bullhead, carp, walleye, and hybrid muskie. About six miles of shoreline is available to bank fisherman. William W. Powers SRA is a great venue for nature education for area children and families, as well as for picnics and family outings.
Campsite fit
Group-designated sites listed in park data: 4. Verify current group pricing, vehicle maximums, and campground rules on the official reservation page.
Group-site signal
No special group limitations surfaced in the current listing metadata.
Trailer and rig access
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Fire rules
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Bathrooms and facilities
Trails and activities
121 named trail routes are surfaced here from 200 mapped source segments. Start with the featured routes, then expand the full list if this park stays on your shortlist.
Lakefront Trail
5.8 miles total • 23 mapped segments • concrete and asphalt;compacted • path and foot trail
Thorn Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail
4.1 miles total • 8 mapped segments • unpaved • path and foot trail
Tinley Creek Paved Trail
3.6 miles total • 4 mapped segments • asphalt • path
View all trail routes
Plum Creek Black Unpaved Loop Trail
1.8 miles total • unpaved • path
Tinley Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail
1.7 miles total • 6 mapped segments • dirt • path
Oak Forest Heritage Preserve Brown Paved Loop
1.7 miles total • 2 mapped segments • asphalt • path
Lost Beach Trail
1.4 miles total • 5 mapped segments • unpaved and wood • foot trail
Dan Ryan Black Paved Loop Trail
0.9 miles total • 3 mapped segments • asphalt • path and foot trail
Dogwood Trail
0.9 miles total • 5 mapped segments • unpaved • foot trail
IDNR Burnham Greenway Trail
0.9 miles total • 5 mapped segments • unpaved • foot trail and path
Tinley Creek Brown Unpaved Loop
0.8 miles total • 3 mapped segments • dirt • path
Pulaski Park Foot Path
0.7 miles total • 4 mapped segments • asphalt • foot trail
Weather context
Weather note
weather normals unavailable for selected park/month
Safety and rules
No active alerts surfaced for the selected dates.
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Key rules and on-site notes
Start with the highest-signal rules below, then expand the full park policy list only if this park stays in contention.
Directions
From Chicago take I-55 south to Rte # 80 West to the Marseilles exit. Go south from the exit on LaSalle County Highway 15 through the town of Marseilles, across the Illinois River Bridge and the Park is the first left. From Bloomington/Normal area take Rte #39 North to Rte #80 East to the Marseilles Exit.
Contact
(773) 646-3270
Fire policy
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
View all park rules
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