Discover Oglesby: Water, Parks and Scenic Byway

Oglesby brings together water activities, well-maintained city parks, sports opportunities and local history within a compact area. Anyone looking for a vacation rental in Oglesby can get to know the character of the town through a wide variety of day plans: active hours on the Vermilion River, walks and games in the park, a drive along the Illinois River Road Scenic Byway or discoveries along Walnut Street.

Water Activities on the Vermilion River

The lower Vermilion River near Oglesby serves as a take-out point for rafting, canoeing and kayaking. This makes the town appealing to travelers who want to combine their stay with a trip on the water. The river infrastructure also includes the Vermilion River Boat Ramp, with a boat and raft launch. You can consider these two access points separately when planning: the take-out point is intended for rafting, canoeing and kayaking, while the Boat Ramp explicitly includes a boat and raft launch.

Quieter hours by the water are also part of the town’s character. McPhedran Park has a fishing pond with a pier directly beside its walkway. Those who do not want to spend the entire day on the river can plan this park as another option for spending time outdoors.

City Parks with Activities and Recreation

Oglesby’s city parks offer walking and jogging paths as well as disc golf. This makes it possible to spend an active day without a set schedule. Courtyard Park adds two tennis courts, a basketball court and a small playground. Families therefore have a choice of different activities without everyone having to do the same thing. A tennis camp takes place at Courtyard Park every year in June.

Swimming lessons are offered at the Oglesby Municipal Pool. Oglesby’s Summer Fun Fest also takes place every year on the weekend of Father’s Day on the grounds around the swimming pool. If your stay falls during this period, you can include the festival in your plans as a special event date. When searching for accommodation, it is worth first considering whether water sports, park amenities or a specific event should be the focus of your trip.

History and Events in Town

On the outskirts of Oglesby, several old Lehigh buildings can still be seen along Walnut Street. This part of town adds a historical accent alongside the sports and recreational offerings. In the center of Oglesby, Senica Square is a venue for year-round events. Thus, in addition to individual seasonal dates, the town also offers a place that is used for events throughout the year.

Another recreational option is Dickinson House, with a six-lane bowling alley. Together with the parks, swimming pool and river activities, this creates a diverse picture of Oglesby: You can combine sports activities, an excursion into local history and events without limiting your stay to just one type of trip.

Oglesby as a Destination for a Scenic Drive

The Illinois River Road Scenic Byway runs directly through Oglesby along Route 71. This also makes it possible to include the town in a drive along this designated route. Those arriving by car or planning a road trip can consider Oglesby a stop in its own right and, depending on their day plan, choose a park, the Vermilion River, the old Lehigh buildings or Senica Square.

For your vacation rental search, you can use these differences as a guide: Water activities suit a more active stay, the city parks offer opportunities for exercise and play, and Walnut Street and Senica Square provide cultural or local points of interest. The broader travel area also includes Deer Park Golf Club, a public 18-hole golf course in LaSalle County.

Other Places to Consider

If you would like to compare other places with Oglesby, you can include Utica, Streator, Mendota, Grand Ridge, LaSalle, Peru and Ottawa in your selection. This allows you to search for the right vacation rental based on the desired focus of your trip.

To the broader travel overview: Lasalle.