5 Favorite Outdoor Activities in and Around Freeport, IL

Freeport is a small town in Illinois that has many outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for hiking, biking, fishing, or even kayaking, Freeport has it all! When you visit Freeport, IL, make sure to check out these five outdoor pursuits!

5 Outdoor Activities to Try in Freeport, IL

1) Have Fun With Your Kids at Krape Park

Krape Park is more than just a beautiful landscape and great playgrounds. Within these wooded acres, there’s a wealth of fun and beauty waiting for you, with a miniature golf course, antique carousel, lit waterfall, walking trails, and more! Dr. W.W Krape, the park’s namesake, was an important figure in the area’s history. Take a paddleboat on the Yellow Creek River, play with your children in Kid’s Kastle’s intricate playground system, or explore the various paths that climb the hills at Krape Park.

2) Play Baseball at the Little Cubs Field

Little Cubs Field is the place to go if you’re looking for big-league excitement! This authentic replica of Chicago’s renowned Wrigley Field pays homage to a legendary American sports franchise and the great American game. When you visit this tiny replica, take note of the brick walls, model scoreboard, marquee, and left-field bleachers. After the community rallied to build a place “where grown-ups can be kids and kids can be grown-ups,” Little Cubs Field opened in 2008.

3) Hike at the Tutty’s Crossing Trailhead

The Tutty’s Crossing Trailhead, located along the Pecatonica River in historic Freeport, has been rejuvenated through community efforts. Tutty’s Crossing was formerly the location of the Burgess Battery Company (better known today as Duracell), which became a major junction for many cycling and walking routes when it connected the Jane Addams Trail and Pecatonica Prairie Trail in 2015. This active park in Illinois is ideal for getting outside and exploring; it’s a great spot to try out several activities, from walking to cycling to fishing or kayaking.

4) Bike at the Jane Addams Trail

Each excursion on the Jane Addams Trail is a new experience thanks to the ever-changing seasonal plant life and different species of animals. The rock strata and topographic features exposed along the route tell the tale of an environment that has changed over time from shallow seas to the fast-flowing glacial river that shaped the valleys. The path also tells the story of humanity’s rise, from the Native Americans such as the Winnebago Tribe to early pioneers who thrived on this fertile soil.

5) Have a Picnic at Knowlton Park

The park is named after Dexter A. Knowlton, a merchant, and a landowner who provided the site and construction supplies for the park to the city. It’s found at the intersection of Broadway and Locust, where it’s known as Knowlton Park. Today, there are towering Black Maple trees shading seats and play equipment installed in 1992.

Freeport is a beautiful city with lots to offer visitors. Whether you want to enjoy some of the best outdoor pursuits in and around town or need a place for your next big outing, there are plenty of exciting things to do that will make it worth coming back again and again!