Lincoln Trail State Park

About Lincoln Trail State Park

Whether you're looking for history, unusual flora or recreation, Lincoln Trail State Park has something to offer you. The area is located in the southern part of the state of Illinois, north of Chicago, and is named after the path Abraham Lincoln and his family took from Indiana to Illinois in 1831. The site, which was transferred to the United States in the early 19th century by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, covered an area of about 3,500 square kilometers. Today, visitors to this 1,023-hectare park can enjoy beech forests and wild flowers, including unusual squaw roots and laurel drops.

Lincoln Trail Lake is the focal point of the park, which covers 146 acres in the Southwest. There are beautiful views of the densely wooded coastline, and Lincoln Trail State Park has something for everyone, with a variety of activities and activities.

Lincoln Trail Lake is the third lake to have formed in Lincoln Trail State Park in the last 30 years, and the largest lake in the park. The maximum depth of the lake is 41 feet, with a depth limit of 35 feet and a maximum surface area of 1,000 hectares.

Southern Illinois, on the state's eastern border, is the only area in Illinois where American beech grows, and beech and maple forests have changed little since the pioneering era. A particularly notable part of this park is Lincoln Trail State Park, a 1,000-acre forest covering a total of 2,500 acres.

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, Squaws Root Beech and Dam are the place to be.

These two wildflowers are unusual in that they lack chlorophyll, but the smooth grey bark of the striking tree is a sign of its natural beauty rather than a warning sign.

The area was settled by Indians long before Abraham Lincoln crossed, and the Kickapoos retained control of the land until it was ceded to the United States in two separate treaties. In the 18th century, the main tribes in the area were the Piankeshaw-Wea, a group from Miami, but by the mid-19th century they had moved south and east, pushing them from south to east.

We know the western border of our first deployment and call it the "One O'Clock Line," which runs along the southern border of Lincoln Trail State Park, between the Ohio River and the Mississippi River. We cross the campsite and pass the main entrance of the park, look east over the river, then cross the creek pass through a small stream and return to our campsite on the other side.

The first 31 hectares of the park were acquired by the state in 1936 and officially opened in 1958 as a park and lake. In 1819, the Kickapoo had abandoned the area west of that original border, but not north of the Lincoln Trail.

For those who like the beautiful views and sound of the great outdoors, but prefer the amenities of their own home, this area offers game for them. If you want to get in the mood for nature without the distraction of modern amenities, Lakeside Campground offers Class C campsites. There is something for every camper, with a wide range of camping options, from campsites to cabins, tents and picnic areas.

Organized groups of adults and young people can reserve group campsites in advance by calling the park office. Campers must present a camping permit before entering a campsite, but do not have to register.

Take the opportunity to enjoy the view from the shore of the lake or just picnic on the beach or on a picnic area near the campsite.

The jetty has a launch pad and parking for boats and trailers, and boats with seasonal berths are available at the concession stand. The lake is filled with a variety of activities such as boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and other recreational activities that provide visitors with a source of entertainment. Illinois boat regulations must be followed and outboard engines are limited to 10 horsepower.

Some species have specific size and catch limits and the rules governing fishing opportunities are being reviewed by the Office of Construction and Inspection. For fishing opportunities and rules, please contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Several shaded areas are equipped with tables, ovens, toilets and water, and four units are also available, one of which has electricity. The wooded coastline is beautiful all year round and perfect for picnics, and children will appreciate the scenic views of the Illinois River, Lake Michigan and Chicago River.

Fifty years after Lincoln's death, the Illinois General Assembly authorized the Illinois State Historical Library to mark the exact route that Abraham Lincoln took from Kentucky to Illinois and Indiana. It took nearly 50 years for the 1000-mile trail to open in 1963, and it is still open to the public today.
Lincoln Trail State Park is located in the city of Clarksville, Illinois, south of the capital Springfield. The road turns into a county road that runs west from Clarkville and east to the Illinois State Historical Library.

The Beech Trail is only 800 metres long and extends from the jetty and concession stand to the large picnic hut at Lakeside Campground. Make your stay in the park even more enjoyable by taking a short walk to your boat dock or campsite or a longer hike that will allow you to experience the diversity of the parks. The trail includes a series of steps and walkways that offer a variety of views of Lake Michigan, the Great Lakes and the Illinois River. For adventurers, the Sand Ford Nature Trail is a great way to experience a change in the park's habitat and enjoy the beautiful landscape of sand dunes, grassland, trees and other natural features.