Menu

St. Louis Metro Parks & Nature

Madison County Parks & Natural Areas

Madison County, Illinois offers an array of stunning destinations for nature enthusiasts and those seeking outdoor serenity. Gordon Moore Park in Alton features a picturesque rose garden adorned with a carillon, a charming Oriental lake with a waterfall, and peaceful walking paths. In Edwardsville, the Watershed Nature Center invites visitors to explore a natural lake, hiking trails, and a tranquil boardwalk winding through its marshlands.

Wilson Park in Granite City boasts scenic walking paths and a meticulously maintained formal garden complete with small cascading waterfalls, providing a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll. For those who enjoy fishing, boating, or hiking, Silver Lake Park in Highland offers a serene escape surrounded by nature.

With its variety of parks and natural spaces, Madison County is a favorite destination for outdoor exploration and relaxation.

Discover Nature in Madison County, IL

Click on the markers to learn about the parks and natural areas located throughout the county, from scenic lakes to lush gardens.

The listings below the map include additional details about each location. Click on the photos in the listings to view more images of these beautiful spots.

Plan your visit to Madison County and discover why it’s one of our favorite places to explore!

Alhambra

Clouds over the lake at Alhambra Township Park in Alhambra, IL.

Alhambra Township Park
610 W Main St.
lake

Alton

Flowers in the Oriental garden at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, IL.

Gordon Moore Park
4550 College Ave.
704 acres
rose garden, waterfalls, walking paths

Piasa Bird painting on the bluff at Piasa Park in Alton, IL.

Trees and walkway along the Mississippi River at Riverfront Park in Alton, IL.

Riverfront Park
1 Riverfront Dr.
walking/biking trail

An overlook of the Mississippi River at Riverview Park in Alton, IL.

Riverview Park
Park Ave.
river overlook, sunken garden

An evening reflection in the lake at Bryant Park in Bethalto, IL.

Bryant Park
4300 Culp Ln.
lake, walking path

Trees and decorative sign at the entrance to the Bethalto Arboretum in Bethalto, IL.

Bethalto Arboretum
E Central St.
150 species of trees, walking path

Autumn trees reflected in a lake at Woodland Park in Collinsville, IL.

Woodland Park
2 Pine Lake Rd.
2 lakes, walking/biking trails

Flowers at the entrance to the garden at Willoughby Heritage Farm in Collinsville, IL.

Trees around a pond at Joe Glik Park in Edwardsville, IL.

Joe Glik Park
710 East Lake Dr.
42 acres
lakes, paved walking trails

Trees reflected in the lake with a fountain at Leclaire Park in Edwardsville, IL.

Leclaire Park
900 Hale Ave.
5.8 acres
lake with fountain, walking paths

Prairie trail at the Poag Sand Prairie in Edwardsville, IL.

Poag Sand Prairie
4860 Street Car Rd.
18.5 acres
.5-mile trail, pond

Plants along a path at the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, IL.

Watershed Nature Center
1591 Tower Ave.
40 acres
trails, lakes, observation towers

A trail in the early autumn woods at the Bohm Woods Nature Preserve in Edwardsville, IL.

Bohm Woods Nature Preserve
4207 Bohm School Rd.
90 acres
2-mile nature trail loop

Trees along a boardwalk in the Gardens at SIUE in Edwardsville, IL.

Gardens at SIUE
6 Arboretum Ln.
walking paths, Turtle Pond, gardens

Trees reflected in the lake at Ray M. Schon Park in Glen Carbon, IL.

Ray M. Schon Park
Main St.
pond, walking trail

A path in the woods at Greenspace East in Glen Carbon, IL.

Greenspace East
South Trace Rd. or Paddock Ln.
80 acres
hiking trail

A lake with trees and clouds at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey, IL.

Glazebrook Park
1401 Stamper Ln.
120 acres
2 ponds, walking trails

A path in shady woods at LaVista Park in Godfrey, IL.

LaVista Park
2421 W Delmar Ave.
93 acres
1-mile trail

A unique natural waterfall at the John M. Olin Nature Preserve in Godfrey, IL.

John M. Olin Nature Preserve
2213 S Levis Ln.
342.3 acres
trails, streams, waterfalls

Ornamental trees and a small waterfall at Wilson Park in Granite City, IL.

Wilson Park
2900 Benton St.
74 acres
gardens, small waterfalls, fitness trail

Plants on the shore of the lake at Horseshoe Lake State Park in Granite City, IL.

Horseshoe Lake State Park
3321 Hwy. 111
2,960 acres
lake, 4 miles of trails

Treetops on Chouteau Island in Granite City, IL.

Chouteau Island
4205 Chain of Rocks Rd.
5,500 acres
hiking trails

Clouds over the lake at Silver Lake Park in Highland, IL.

Silver Lake Park
3099 Highland Park Rd.
342.3 acres
lake, 4.5-mile trail, arboretum

Trees around the lake at Drost Park in Maryville, IL.

Drost Park
Myron Provence Pkwy.
74 acres
lake, walking trails, gardens

Pontoon Beach

Plants in the wetlands at Arlington Wetlands in Pontoon Beach, IL.

Arlington Wetlands
Arlington Drive
83 acres
wetlands, sand prairie

Troy

Clouds over the lake at Tri-Township Park in Troy, IL.

Tri-Township Park
410 Wickliffe St.
234 acres
lake, walking path, petting zoo

Reflection in the lake at Belk Park in Wood River, IL.

Belk Park
Belk Park Rd.
234 acres
lake, walking trail