This small yet beautiful park is located near the city of Cave Junction. It's a little bit on the southwestern side of Josephine County and just a few minutes drive away from the Oregon-California boundary. The Illinois River Forks State Park is a great spot for day-use activities such as picnicking and sightseeing. It has a couple of picnic tables and restrooms that you can use for simple gatherings and events.
Since it's located in the Illinois Valley, there are lots opportunities to see a lot of rare plants and beautiful landscapes here. In fact, the park offers a walking trail for guests to explore and witness the beauty of the surroundings.
History Of The Park
The main tracts of the park were bought in 1961 and it came with an 80-acre lease that was gotten in 1962 from the Bureau of Land Management. However, Margaret McGee made some donations in 1976 and 1977 that resulted to the forming of the present size of the park. The name Illinois River came from the Althouse brothers who were migrants from Illinois and found gold in the river when they settled in Oregon in 1849.
Other attractions near Illinois River Forks State Park is the Great Cats World Park and the Rough and Ready Creek State Park. Stop by the Cave Junction Area and make sure you visit these awesome places so you'll enjoy the attractions that Southern Oregon has to offer.
