White Pines Forest State Park

White Pines Forest State Park
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1]
A portion of the southernmost stand of native white pines (Pinus strobus) in Illinois.
Location of White Pines Forest State Park in Illinois
Location	Ogle, Illinois, United States
Coordinates	41°59′44″N 89°28′07″W / 41.99556°N 89.46861°W / 41.99556; -89.46861
Area	385 acres (156 ha)
Elevation	722 ft (220 m)[2]
Established	1927
Named for	native white pines
Visitors	350,000+
Governing body	Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Website	White Pines Forest State Park

White Pines Forest State Park, more commonly referred to as White Pines State Park, is an Illinois state park in Ogle County, Illinois. It is located near the communities of Polo, Mount Morris and Oregon. The 385-acre (156 ha) park contains the southernmost remaining stand of native white pine trees in the state of Illinois, and that area, 43 acres (17 ha), was designated an Illinois Nature Preserve in 2001.

The area was poised to become a state park in 1903, but a veto by Governor Richard Yates prevented that from occurring. Supporters continued to press for the White Pines Woods, as it was once known, to receive state park designation throughout the period 1903-1927. In 1927 the park was established with help from supporters in the Chicago media. The park contains two freshwater streams, white sandstone rock formations, and a variety of activities generally associated with Illinois state parks. Along Pine Creek, one of the park's two streams, fords were constructed instead of bridges allowing visitors to drive through the creek.