There are so many things to do both here at Apple Canyon Lake and in the surrounding areas. You are guaranteed to find what you're looking for whether it's an abundance of fun or serenity and relaxation.
Apple Canyon Lake:
Pool - Heated, zero-entry edge with built-in benches. Features for the littles including a fish slide, water geysers, dump buckets and a spraying rainbow. The 12' depth with diving board and basketball hoop offers fun for the older kids. Bring a snack or picnic to enjoy from the observation deck or the new pavilion while overlooking the pool and/or lake. Climb the lookout tower or take the kids to the children's garden while you are there.
Lake & Nixon Beach - Bring your beach toys and floaties. There's a volleyball court (bring your own ball), chairs & picnic tables, and a pavilion offering shade and restrooms. Or bring your fishing pole and throw a line in off the docks. There's also basketball courts and a playground in close proximity.
Multi-Sports Complex - Outdoor courts for playing basketball, tennis, pickleball, etc. Basic equipment is available in limited supply.
Trails - There are numerous walking and hiking trails around the property including a 13-mile trail that runs around the lake.
Golf Course & Pro Shop - 9 hole golf course. The Pro Shop serves food and drinks. During the Fall & Winter months, Thursdays are Martini night where you'll find a different flavor on special each week.
The Cove - Lakeside restaurant and bar. Now also serving slushies and ice cream!
Marina - Stop in for a snack, cold beverage, bait or a fishing license.
All amenities are within 5-10 minutes of the cabin
Please note, many of the amenities above are seasonal.
Surrounding Areas
If you've never been to Council Hill Station (11 mi) it's a site to see. It's a 1850's general store/railway station with a silo and ruin of a woolen mill and barn. If there's not music on the venue, the owner is happy to play you a little ditty while you grab a beer or glass of sangria. The Galena Cellars Vineyard (9.7 mi) is beautiful both inside and out and is just down the the road from Council Hill Station. You can check their site for music, but the setting is what really makes it...while you obviously can't go wrong with a glass of wine in your hand.
For a little adventure, checkout Chestnut Mountain Resort (25 mi). There is skiing in the winter, but the summer is also loaded with fun options including a bike course, Alpine slide, zipline, Segway tours and riverboat tours. Long Hollow Canopy Tours (14 mi) also offers zip lining and an outdoor ropes course. Here's a couple of additional pages that Chestnut Mountain has put together that includes additional outdoor ideas to experience with the family: Active Outdoor Fun in Galena, Take the Colorful Route through Galena. Apple River Canyon State Park (10 mi) is also right down the road for hiking, fishing, or having a picnic.
If your interested in a trail ride by horse, check out the Shenandoah Riding Center (14 mi). Or for some fun with goats including hikes, coffee or yoga checkout Hoof-If Galena (18 mi) or Galena Goat Yoga (17 mi).
There are many neighboring towns with fun things to do and places to check out. Restaurants, shopping, breweries & wineries, hiking trails and extra curricular activities. To start, look up fun things to do in Galena (16 mi), Elizabeth (13 mi), Stockton (16 mi), Scales Mound (6 mi), and Apple River (8.8 mi) which are all in close proximity. It's an absolutely beautiful area with so many indoor and outdoor activities, you are sure to find something for everyone.
Just to give you a few places to get you started...in Apple River, check out Thriving Thistle. We haven't used their Wellness Center, but their Bistro Menu, in addition to their coffees and bon-bons are amazing. There's also a few different flavors of ice cream available next door and they have a small little boutique area with some pretty cute attire.
The Old School Saloon in Scales Mound is an old schoolhouse that's been tastefully updated to a restaurant and bar and boosts high ceilings, brick walls and an overall good vibe. In Scales Mound you'll also find Country House Grocery, an old gymnasium turned cute little grocery store that offers fresh meats & brats and get it while it lasts breakfast pizza on Sunday mornings (call ahead to pre-order).
In Elizabeth, there's The Hwy 20 Brewing Company. We've never been, but have it on our list as it sure does look neat being a 1875 church turned craft brewery with indoor and outdoor seating. While you're there stop into The Three Sisters Sweet Shoppe for some ice cream or cupcakes (seasonal). And for the antique lovers, you'll find Elizabeth's Grant Antique Co. hosting over 200 vendors across multiple floors in a historic school building with a cute little coffee shop on the first floor. And if you like antiques, here's a Illinois Antique Guide filled with just that!
A few lovely little places we've come across in Stockton: Savvy Scavengers - a super cute little boutique store, Beautiful Berkeley - an adorable home decor and floral shop, and Sweet Alice's - a sweets shop that's right next door. Interesting enough these are all Sister Stores. We haven't been there, but Stella's Cafe and Catering also looks super cute and delish...and since it's also their Sister Store is probably worth checking out!
As for Galena, there's just too many additional places to go and things to do so I'll just defer you to the multiple links above. Well...maybe after I get one mention in. The Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. is on the edge of town, off the main drag but it's worth a stop. You'll find plush couches, indoor games, amazing drinks and an overall cool vibe. And don't forget to checkout Galena's calendar of events!
We could go on and on about all the options in the area, and feel like we personally haven't experienced even a sliver of what's there yet. So...we'll leave you with these and let you decide where your interests lie!