A palisade is a long, steep cliff, the sort that you see along riverbanks, and at this 2,500-acre park in northwestern Illinois, they run along the shores of the Mississippi at its confluence with the Apple River. The Mississippi Palisades State Park is rich in Native American history, and a wonderful place to see Illinois wildlife up close.

There are waterfowl, shore birds, wild turkeys, and pileated woodpeckers; fishermen generally catch crappie, carp, and bass. On the fifteen miles of trails, visitors may run into white-tailed deer, badgers, woodchucks, squirrels, minx, and foxes. The park is dotted with colorful wildflowers and has picnic sites, and opportunities for rock climbing. It is also a seasonal favorite of cross-country skiers.

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