Stretching six and a half miles along Lake Michigan's western shore, Illinois Beach State Park protects the only remaining beach ridge shoreline in Illinois—4,160 acres of dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, black oak savannas, and over 800 documented plant species, including surprising colonies of prickly pear cactus thriving beside arctic bearberries. This is Illinois' first nature preserve (designated 1964) and a National Natural Landmark (1980). With over 300 bird species recorded, 5 miles of hiking trails, camping, swimming beaches, the North Point Marina, and a nature center, the park balances recreational use with protection of globally rare wetlands and internationally significant habitats under the Ramsar Convention. This park is divided into two sections: the North Unit and the South Unit, offering different recreational and educational opportunities.