Loud Thunder Forest Preserve
19406 Loud Thunder Road, Illinois City, Illinois 61259
(309) 795-1040
Hours of Operation: Sunrise to 10:00PM
Park Office Hours
| April: | Memorial Day - August: | Labor Day (Sept) - October: | November - March: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon: 8AM to 4:00PM | Mon: 8AM to 4:00PM | Mon: 8AM to 4:00PM | Mon: 8AM to 4:00PM |
| Tues: 8AM to 4:00PM | Tues: 8AM to 4:00PM | Tues: 8AM to 4:00PM | Tues: 8AM to 4:00PM |
| Wed: 8AM to 7PM | Wed: 8AM to 7PM | Wed: 8AM to 7PM | Wed: 8AM to 4:00PM |
| Thurs: 8AM to 7PM | Thurs: 8AM to 7PM | Thurs: 8AM to 7PM | Thurs: 8AM to 4:00PM |
| Fri: 8AM to 7PM | Fri: 8AM to 8PM | Fri: 8AM to 7PM | Fri: 8AM to 4:00PM |
| Sat: 11AM to 7PM | Sat: 8AM to 8PM | Sat: 11AM to 7PM | Sat: Closed |
| Sun: 11AM to 7PM | Sun: 8AM to 7PM | Sun: 11AM to 7PM | Sun: Closed |
Boat Rental at Lake George:
Seasonal Operation from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
From Memorial Weekend to Mid-August:
Closed on Mondays - Wednesdays EXCEPT for Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.
Thur-Fri: 11:00AM to 7:00PM, last rental goes out at 6:00PM.
Sat-Sun: 8:00AM to 7:00PM, last rental goes out at 6:00PM.
From First Weekend in August to Labor Day:
Closed Monday through Friday EXCEPT for Labor Day Weekend.
For a more detailed schedule please visit the Boating page.
First come, first served for all rentals.
Camping and more:
The camping season is typically the first weekend in April through the last weekend in October each year as weather permits. Advanced notices of closures will be posted as soon as practicable on Loud Thunder's Facebook page.
Loud Thunder is the largest of the Rock Island County forest preserves at 1,480 acres. One of the main attractions at Loud Thunder is Lake George, a 167-acres man-made lake with depths up to 55 feet and stocked with many varieties of fish. Other amenities are:
- Five campgrounds that include 140 campsites, including a Horse Corral campground
- LEARN MORE about camping at Loud Thunder
- Seasonal Boat rentals and concessions
- Hiking trails- a two-mile moderate level and a 12-mile continuous loop moderate level (View trail map)
- Shared-use trails for mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers
- Picnic shelters and two playgrounds
- A part of the Illinois Great River Road National Scenic Byway
Loud Thunder Forest Preserve History
Loud Thunder began in 1944 with the purchase of 1,240-acre ranch from Charles Searle. Adjacent properties were later purchased creating the existing park totaling 1,480 acres.
The development of the preserve started in the 1950's with the creation of campgrounds, trails, and parking lots. In 1967, the Big Branch Creek that ran through the preserve was dammed to create Lake George.
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Cross-Country Skiing
Picnicking
Playgrounds
Boating
Biking
Horseback Riding
Snowshoeing
Shelter Rentals
Archery Deer Hunt