Whether you visit for an afternoon or stay a few days, you will leave Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area with many happy memories. Located in Stephenson County just west of Route 73 on Lake Road, the park is 6 miles south of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line and 3 miles north of Lena.
Highlighted by a 40-acre lake and all the recreational opportunities there, the park also offers multi-use trails, picnic areas, and RV, tent, equestrian and youth group campgrounds.
Developed as part of a statewide plan to provide Illinois citizens with recreational opportunities close to home, the park was started with a land acquisition program in 1948 and dedicated as a 715-acre state recreation area 10 years later.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na’s name is the result of a contest sponsored by the Stephenson County Sportsman’s Club, one of the park’s many sponsors. The name is a combination of the town of Lena and the Latin word for water, aqua.
Activities
Trails
Whether you enjoy hiking, horseback riding or cross-country skiing, 8.5 miles of marked trails include something for everyone. Pets are welcome to enjoy the trails with you, but pets must be kept on their leashes.
Winter Sports
Ice-fishing, sledding and cross-country skiing are popular attractions at Lake Le-Aqua-Na during the winter months, but there are no trails or facilities for snowmobiling. All ice activities should be limited to areas away from the lake’s destratifier unit, where open water and thin ice make these activities less safe.
Boating
Completed in 1956, the lake provides fishing, boating and a swimming beach. Bring your own boat and enjoy the beauty of the lake's 1.4 miles of wooded shoreline. A launching ramp is located adjacent to the concession stand. Only electric motors are allowed.
Fishing
Periodic stockings of walleye, northern pike and channel catfish compliment the lake’s self-sustaining largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and bullhead populations. Brush piles and fish cribs are located throughout the lake and enhance habitat for the fish population. To keep the supply abundant, however, regulations governing catch limits and sizes are strictly enforced.
An accessible fishing pier is located near the swimming beach.
Swimming
A small beach, particularly suited to children, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. No lifeguards are in attendance, so swimming is at your own risk. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Picnicking
Whether you are planning a picnic for two, have invited the whole family, or even the whole neighborhood, Lake Le-Aqua-Na has a picnic site to suit your needs. All sites include tables and grills. For those who like to plan ahead, two picnic shelters with electricity may be reserved in advance.
Camping
RV, tent, equestrian and youth group campers are all accommodated in the various campgrounds. Few sites are secluded, with the majority open and spacious with adequate shade available on most.
A large number of electric sites with water are conveniently located throughout the campgrounds. While the RV campground is open year-round, the shower building with flush toilets and the trailer dump station are operational only from May 1 - November 1.
The equestrian campground has a shelter, vault toilets and a hand pump for water. Access to the area is on county roads that border the park, not the main park entrance. Contact the park office prior to your equestrian outing as the campgrounds and trail may be closed due to wet conditions.
Hunting
A dove hunt and youth hunt are available.
