The highest point in Illinois, located just outside the town of Galena, is 1,235 feet above sea level. It is the 45th highest point in the United States.
Illinois, located in the Midwestern region of the United States, is the 25th largest state in terms of area and shares land borders with five other states, including Wisconsin to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the west, Kentucky to the south, and Indiana to the east. The state also shares a small section of maritime border with Michigan on Lake Michigan.
Almost half the size of Italy, Illinois is a great place to visit for anyone looking to experience the Midwest at its finest. It has a variety of natural landscapes, from the fertile plains of the Central Corn Belt Plains to the rugged mountain ranges that occupy a small portion of the northern part of the state.
Most of Illinois was covered by glaciers during the last Ice Age, but Northwestern Illinois was spared and still has some of the best natural scenery in the state. You can explore this area by hiking or skiing on its trails that wind through scenic bluffs and limestone formations.
Charles Mound, the highest point in the state of Illinois at 1,235 feet above sea level, is the perfect spot to discover the beauty of the northwest corner of the state. Located 11 miles north of the Mississippi River town of Galena, it shines a light on the geological history of the northwest region and offers a chance to see the tall plateau that is a unique feature of this region.