Don't plug your nose yet, Rockford. If you are looking for the best lake in Illinois, there's about a three and a half hour drive ahead of you. CrazyTourist

Chicago's Doggy Beach
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For those with boats, and those that enjoy the lake life, this is for you. A list has been published of the 15 Best Lakes in Illinois. I'm gonna shoot straight with you...I didn't know where a lot of these are and there's a bunch I have never heard of. But seriously, some of the names are super cool. Who doesn't wanna jump into Devil's Kitchen Lake??? 

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ullstein bild, Getty Images
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OK, so your winner and champion Illinois lake is "Lake Shelbyville." You're looking at about a three-hour and thirty-one-minute drive from Rockford. This location includes:

  • A shoreline with a hearty forest
  • A dam
  • Man man beaches
  • A multipurpose trail
  • An equestrian trail
  • Golf courses 
  • Wildlife
  • Fishing Areas

That sounds like a lot, and the pictures in my head make me think of a Simpson's episode. Lake Shelbyville, am I right? Wonder if there's a lemon tree.

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This hot spot for everything wet is the #1 lake in the entire Land of Lincoln.

There's plenty of water in Illinois, with a state of 150,000 square kilometers...6000 of that is water.

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Do you know where the "Lake of Egypt" is at? Ever fished "Rend Lake?" Those two round off the top three. You're welcome.

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This Nautical Illinois Airbnb Has Its Own Private Beach

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