Apple River Canyon State Park is in the hilly northwest corner of Illinois in Jo Daviess County near the Wisconsin border. Limestone bluffs, deep ravines, springs, streams and wildlife characterize this area. Once a part of a vast sea bottom that stretched from the Alleghenies to the Rockies, the scenic canyon area was formed by the action of the winding waters of the Apple River.
Camping
Apple River Canyon State Park offers 49 Class "C" sites without showers in the Canyon Ridge Campground and 6 group sites in the Walnut Grove Youth Campground.
Hunting
Hunting is available in the Thompson and Salem Units, Iris and Jack Witkowsky Wildlife Area , Tapley Woods Natural Area, Hanover Bluff Natural Area, Wards Grove Nature Preserve, Rall Woods Natural Area, and Winston Tunnel Natural Area.
Fishing
The Apple River has a variety of fish including smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, carp and *******. The river is one of several in the state where the Illinois Department of Natural Resources releases keeper-size trout. Trout require clean, clear, cold water and in the spring, Apple River meets these requirements in the spring, however, the fish do not survive through the hot summer months, so the stream is stocked for seasonal trout fishing seasons.
Picnicking
Four picnic areas with tables, grills, accessible drinking water and toilets may be found along the river’s banks at Apple River Canyon State Park. The site also has three shelters, two of which are accessible.
Trails
Five trails - Pine Ridge, Tower Rock, River Route, Sunset and Primrose Trail (accessible) - wind through the woods for several miles within the park. Trails can be hazardous; please stay on the trail.
