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White Pines Forest State Park, Oregon, Ill.
Deer wander through the woods. A fire blazes in your cabin. Steps away, a lighthearted Christmas comedy plays in the theater next door to a handsome log restaurant draped in garlands.
Since 1927, this 385-acre state park near the town of Oregon (20 miles southwest of Rockford) has protected Illinois' last stand of white pines. Blanketed in snow at this time of year, the towering evergreens resemble Christmas trees awaiting decorations. Even the youngest family members can hike among them on nearly 5 miles of easy marked trails.
Inside the spacious hand-hewn log restaurant, a blaze crackles in the huge stone fireplace beneath a mantel decorated with tiny elves and tin horns.
Overnight visitors choose one of the park's 25 one-room log cabins (all with fireplaces), built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Amid oak and hickory trees, the cabins are just a short stroll from the dinner theater, restaurant, gift shop and trails. Each cabin comfortably sleeps a family of four.
