Oglesby combines water sports on the Vermilion River with walking and jogging paths in its city parks, visible traces of local history, and events in the town center. When planning your trip, you can start by choosing your focus: Should the river, a park activity, a particular date, or the town’s history be the deciding factor? The variety of offerings gives you several ways to shape your stay around your interests.
The River and Route Connections
The Illinois River Road Scenic Byway runs directly through Oglesby on Route 71. If you use the byway to guide your trip, you’ll find the city right along its route.
The lower Vermilion River near Oglesby serves as a take-out point for rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. This makes Oglesby a potential take-out point for a river trip. The Vermilion River Boat Ramp includes a boat and raft launch; its use for launching may depend on river conditions. Check conditions before planning a launch. For planning purposes, taking out after a river trip and using the ramp, which depends on river conditions, are two distinct considerations.
City Parks with a Variety of Activities
Oglesby’s city parks have walking and jogging paths, and disc golf is also available. Courtyard Park has two tennis courts, a basketball court, and a small playground. A tennis camp is held there every June. If you’d like to plan your stay around it, use June as a general guide and check the specific dates.
McPhedran Park has a fishing pond with a pier right beside the walking path. This distinguishes the park from Courtyard Park, with its courts and tennis camp: here, the pond and path are right next to each other.
Historic Traces and Events
A few old Lehigh buildings are still visible on Walnut Street, on the edge of Oglesby. They are a visible trace of the area’s industrial history. The Dickinson House has a six-lane bowling alley. This adds a specific historic point of interest and a clearly defined recreational activity as two different areas of focus.
In downtown Oglesby, Senica Square hosts events throughout the year. Oglesby’s Summer Fun Fest is held every year on Father’s Day weekend on the grounds around the Oglesby Municipal Pool; the date and program may vary. If you’re traveling specifically for the festival, check the exact date and program in advance.
Swimming lessons are offered at the seasonal Oglesby Municipal Pool. The pool’s seasonal nature is an important consideration if you’d like to combine your stay with swimming lessons.
The activities have different scheduling considerations: the tennis camp takes place in June, the Summer Fun Fest takes place on Father’s Day weekend, and swimming lessons are offered at the seasonal pool. By contrast, river conditions determine whether the boat ramp can be used. If one of these activities is a deciding factor for your stay, check the relevant date or conditions in advance; the city parks and historic sites offer other areas of interest.
Discover more destinations: Mendota, Ottawa, Grand Ridge, Utica, Streator, LaSalle, Peru.
Go to the broader travel overview: Lasalle.
