|
Home >
Travel >
State Parks >
Illinois >
Fox
Ridge State Park |
|
|
18175 State Park Road
Charleston, IL 61920
217.345.6416
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 (217) 345-6490 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, (217) 345-6416. FAX 217/348-6417. 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
* While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's
facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to
avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts.
* At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
* Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
* Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call
ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
* We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only
footprints.
* For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of
Economic Opportunity Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
* Telecommunication Device for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources
Information (217) 782-9175 for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
|
|
|
|
