Area
Henderson
County Conservation Area, which includes Gladstone Lake, offers a variety
of recreational facilities. The 27-acre lake has a shoreline of 1.5 miles
and a maximum depth of 25 feet. The area, about 20 miles southwest of
Monmouth and five miles east of the Mississippi River, has a total of
87 acres.
History
Henderson
County Conservation Area was purchased by the state in 1961 from the C.
B. & Q. Railroad. The railroad used the area to dredge sand and gravel
for use in its railroad maintenance. The lake water was used for filling
the train’s steam engine.
Facilities
Picnicking
There
is one area on a hill with tables and toilets.
Camping
Tent
and trailer sites are available. All campers must obtain a camping permit
from the park personnel. Group camping is permitted; all groups of more
than 25 persons need advance permission to enter the area.
Fishing
and Boating
The
lake contains bluegill, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, carp
and sauger. A boat launch is on the east side of the lake. Motors are
not allowed; electric trolling only.
Winter
Sports
Ice
skating and ice fishing are permitted on the lake when the ice is thick
enough.
For
Your Information
Numerous
state sites are within easy access of every part of the state. Lodges,
cabins and dining rooms are important features of Illinois Beach, Starved
Rock, Pere Marquette, White Pines Forest, Giant City and Cave-In-Rock.
Reservations for lodging should be made with lodge managers.
- 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 Commerce and Community
Affairs' 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.
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