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: Mon: 8AM to 4:30PM Tues: 8AM to 4:30PM Wed: 8AM to 7PM Thurs: 8AM to 7PM Fri: 8AM to 7PM Sat: 11AM to 7PM Sun: 11AM to 7PM

May - August: Mon: 8AM to 4:30PM Tues: 8AM to 4:30PM Wed: 8AM to 7PM Thurs: 8AM to 7PM  Fri: 8AM to 8PM Sat: 8AM to 8PM Sun: 8AM to 7PM

Labor Day (Sept) - October: Mon: 8AM to 4:30PM Tues: 8AM to 4:30PM Wed: 8AM to 7PM Thurs: 8AM to 7PM Fri: 8AM to 7PM Sat: 11AM to 7PM Sun: 11AM to 7PM

November - March: Mon: 8AM to 4:30PM Tues: 8AM to 4:30PM Wed: 8AM to 4:30PM Thurs: 8AM to 4:30PM Fri: 8AM to 4:30PM Sat: Closed Sun: Closed

Boat Rental at Lake George:

Seasonal Operation from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.   

Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays EXCEPT for Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. 
Wed-Sun: 8:00AM to 7:00PM, last rental goes out at 6:00PM.  First come, first serve 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.