Recreation

When it comes to recreational opportunities, Pekin is the envy of virtually every community in Illinois. With the 5th largest park district in the state, you’ll enjoy hiking, trails, tennis and basketball courts, camping and horseback riding…  and the list goes on and on!

Hittin’ the Links
Golfers from all over Illinois come to Pekin to try their hand at one of our four excellent courses. In fact, Lick Creek Golf Course has been nationally recognized as one of the best public courses in America.  Parkview, Sunset Hills Golf Club and the Pekin Country Club also offer golfers a challenge. Plus, we have a great miniature golf course where the whole family can perfect their putt.  Magic Dragon Golf & Games features 18 holes of choice, chance and challenge including a hole where you walk through a caboose!

Water Works
Dragonland Water Park is three acres of wet and wild fun, including a zero depth play & entry area, two water slides and sand beach volleyball courts. You can also enjoy a relaxing pedal boat or kayak ride on the Lagoon.

Fishing and Hunting
If you’re the outdoors type, the Illinois River is ideal for boating, skiing and fishing. Local lakes such as Powerton Lake produce trophy bass and numerous other types of game fish, plus there are several locations available for open hunting. Other lakes nearby include Pekin Lake, Spring Lake, Lake Evergreen and Banner Marsh.

Hiking and Trails
Enjoy a quiet hike through the woods? McNaughton Park Wilderness Area is the perfect place to get out and enjoy nature and play a round of Frisbee golf.  Pekin also has a 4.3 mile bike trail that welcomes bikes, skateboards, roller blades, strollers, dogs on leashes, joggers, cross country skiers, and walkers. For thrill-seekers, Pekin has an Xtreme Skate Park open for rollerblading, biking and skateboarding fun! Plus, we have two dog exercise areas!

Family Fun
Pekin also has a number of other organizations that coordinate recreational activities, including the Pekin Union Mission, the Boys & Girls Club of Pekin and the Pekin YWCA.

Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway

The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway is a program of the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois.  It is also one in a collection of federally designated roadways throughout the U.S. called America's Byways.  Standards for using the America's Byways logo may be obtained at www.bywaysonline.org.

We also encourage you to visit the Pekin Scenic Byway website.