Looking for a good campground in Illinois or Indiana with lots to do?

Question

camping,trails,fishing,canoe

Answer 1

Go to Eminence Missouri and stay at Alley Springs.

Answer 2

Boating Hiking Hunting
Camping History Picnicking
Directions Horseback Riding Surrounding Area
Fishing Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site

Fox Ridge State Park, just 8 miles south of Charleston in east-central Illinois is known for its steep, thickly wooded ridges, broad, lush valleys and miles of rugged, scenic hiking trails and covers 2,064 acres.

In sharp contrast to the flat prairies of most of this section of Illinois, Fox Ridge is set amidst rolling hills along the forested bluffs of the Embarras ("Ambraw") River.

At any time of year, Fox Ridge State Park is a great place to visit. In winter, the snow-softened ridges are alive with birds and animals. In the spring, a panoramic blanket of multi-hued wildflowers and blooming, budding trees celebrate the resurgence of growth. By summer the dense vegetation and new generation of wildlife are thriving in the sun, and autumn brings its brilliant display of color as nature enhances the woodlands with yellow, red, purple and orange.

History
Arrowheads and artifacts uncovered in this area indicate habitation by prehistoric Native American cultures. Early historic tribes included the Piankashaw and the Illinois, both of whom were pushed out when the Kickapoo migrated into the region from Wisconsin in the late 1600s.

European settlers in the area originally were centered around the Embarras River, which provided their main source of transportation, fishing, trapping, and, of course, water. Before the development of the railroad, much of the economy of the area also depended on the river, where flat boats carried livestock and manufacturing materials downstream to the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers and on to New Orleans and Gulf of Mexico.

In the late 1930s, the State of Illinois took over management and ownership of Fox Ridge, then a small parcel of land, and residents of the Charleston area helped preserve and develop it as a state park. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a residence/workshop complex, a Natural History Survey laboratory, 4 miles of hiking trails, a large brick pavilion and a dam and spillway which created the 12-acre Ridge Lake.

Ridge Lake, completed in 1941 and currently administered by the Illinois Natural History Survey in Urbana, is used for the study of lakes, ponds and streams to improve fishing in Illinois waters. Studies at the lake (the first at which Natural History Survey technicians were able to control the water level) have included investigations of the effects on resident fish populations of lake drawdowns, supplemental feeding of bluegill and channel catfish and introduction of supplemental predators such as the muskellunge and walleye. These constitute the most thorough and longest continuous fish studies in the United States.

To further enhance the development of the park, the Fox Ridge Foundation was founded and dedicated to the improvement and promotion of the area. Governed by local citizens interested in the park's future, the foundation sponsors several annual events, publishes a quarterly newsletter and organizes and administers fund drives for specific or general park improvements. Supported by the general public through membership dues and donations, the foundations is a tax-exempt charitable organization. For further information contact the park office or write to the Fox Ridge Foundation, P.O. Box 714, Charleston, IL, 61920.

Picnicking
For the day visitor there are many designated picnic areas scattered throughout the park, with tables and grills (ground fires are not permitted), rest rooms, drinking water, playgrounds, two baseball diamonds and sand volleyball courts. A large, brick outdoor pavilion and eight smaller shelters are available for reunions and group gatherings. Six shelters are available on a reservation basis. Please contact the park office. Shelter Reservation Application

Camping
Youth Group Area is closed.
For longer stays there is a Class A, 43 site, Camp area with showers, a group tent camp area, 3 "Rent-A-Camp" Cabins (with bunks for six, electricity, table, chairs and a deck). Picnic tables, cooking grills, drinking water, toilet facilities and a sanitary dumping stations are located in all campgrounds. Reservations are available. Campground Map

Trails
Due to the rich, abundant plant and animal life in the park and its dramatic hills and bluffs, the eight miles of the meandering trail system is the natural focus for most visitors. Each of the ten connected trails has a descriptive marker at the entrance to assist you. Fox Ridge is a ravine of glacial moraine and many of these trails are steep, 18 picturesque wooden bridges and numerous rest benches make them easily negotiable. Turkey, deer, fox, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, turkey vulture, hawk, owl, quail, pheasant and the lush foliage will make your journey both exciting and restful.

Eight separate but looping trails are located within the park. The looping trails allow you to extend or cut short you walk. You can expect to walk along the Embarras River, or through the decidious forest once common in the area. A four-mile horse trail, bring your own horse, no overnight facilities for horses (Horse trail closed from November 15 - April 15).

The staircase to Eagle's Nest has just been completed requiring 144 steps to get you to the deck overlooking the river, providing a wonderful view during the fall, winter and spring.

A fitness trail has just been refurbished offering another dimension to the trail system. Two handicapped accessible trails are available one wandering along the edge of a ravine and the other tours a small fishing pond with an accessible fishing pier.


Fishing and Boating

Ridge Lake is well-stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. However, since it is a research facility, fishing is permitted by reservation only. Contact the Illinois Natural History Survey at [phone] or write to the park office for dates and times.

Fishing in the Embarras River is open to the hardy angler who is willing to descend the steep slopes. Lake Charleston, about four miles from the park, also is recommended. Canoe access: There are two canoe launches, one north and one south provides a five mile trip on the Embarras.


Hunting
In the northern area of the park there are 1,129 acres open for public hunting. Sign in at the park office before using the area. Fox Ridge has a fact sheet available showing the boundary lines and describing the area and species most abundant.

For more information contact the Fox Ridge State Park, Park Office, 18175 State Park Road, Charleston, IL, 61920, [phone]. FAX [phone]. Hunter Fact Sheet | Hurricane Creek

Directions

From I-57, take Route 16 Exit east to Charleston. Stay on Rt. 16, all the way through Charleston to the Intersection of Rt. 16 and Rt. 130. Turn Right/South and go 7 miles.

From I-70, take Exit for Rt. 130 North. Go approximately 11 miles.


Brochures available at the Park

Acorn Avenue - Self Guided Nature Trail | Summer Prairie & Roadside Flowers at FRSP | Trees & Shrubs at FRSP | Spring Flowers at FRSP | Fox Ridge State Park Bird List

Answer 3

http://www.twinriverscamp.com/
i was there last week, and will be going back soon