Camp Illinois had a chance to connect with Jodi at Fox Ridge State Park who shared with us some of the most popular activities in the park, their proximity to Lincoln’s Log Cabin and the great wooded areas for camping at Fox Ridge State Park. Read below for some insider information on this great park in East-Central Illinois.
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Get To Know Fox Ridge State Park in Charleston
When was Fox Ridge State Park founded. How did it start?
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 13-acre Ridge Lake.
What are the most popular activities in the park?
There are many great things to do in the park but the most popular activities at Fox Ridge State Park are the camping, hiking and fishing. Ridge Lake is stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish but fishing there is by reservation only. For other fishing opportunities people go to Embarras River, but there are some steep slopes to get to a fishable area.
Where is Fox Ridge State Park located? What are some other attractions in the area worth checking out?
Seven and a half miles south of Charleston. Only about 8 miles south is the Lincoln Log Cabin, which is the home of Abe Lincoln’s father and stepmother. Also in Charleston is the Lincoln/Douglas museum, the site of the 4th debate and the final Lincoln family home.
What are the campsites like? Are they more open or secluded?
Our campsites are Class A which means they have electricity at each site. We have water throughout the campground so that you can fill up your water tank. We have a dump station and we have a shower building. The campsites are secluded and all have a wooded back drop. All sites are surrounded by trees and shrubs to make them fell more secluded.
If you could only spend one hour in the park, what would you do?
The park has great wildlife and dramatic hills and bluffs through out which make hiking a fun activity. One of the best views is at Eagles Nest. The staircase to Eagle’s Nest climbs 144 steps to a deck overlooking the river, providing wonderful views during the fall, winter and spring.
