This Hidden Illinois Water Adventure Is Perfect for Families

Looking for a fun summer adventure that's close enough for a day trip but different enough to feel like a mini vacation? Crystal Lake's Quarry Cable Park definitely needs to be added to your family's summer bucket list.

Illinois Summer Day Trips

One question my family seems to deal with every summer is: what new places can we check out in Illinois?

READ MORE: Illinois Theme Park Named One of the Best in America

In past summers we've gone to plenty of parks, zoos, festivals, and museums, but what else can we do that isn't far from home and won't cost an arm and a leg?

Here's one place I'm adding to my family's summer to-do list: The Quarry Cable Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

The Quarry Cable Park

Located about an hour from the Rockford area in Crystal Lake's Three Oaks Recreation Area, The Quarry was once a gravel quarry that has been transformed into a crystal-clear water recreation destination packed with fun for all ages.

There's a Cable Park for wakeboard enthusiasts that uses a cable system to pull riders across the water, with several different cable courses to choose from:

There's a giant inflatable Aqua Park where kids and adults can enjoy a climbing, bouncing, sliding, and splashing water adventure:

Plus there's a beach where families can play sand volleyball and yard games, or grab food and drinks at the on-site bar and grille which has live music on the weekends.

If your idea of a perfect day involves being surrounded by clear blue water while sitting on a beach watching your kids have hours of fun in the water, a visit to The Quarry Cable Park might be exactly what you need this summer.

I'm going to start planning my first trip there now!