| For those who think central Illinois
is one big corn field, Sand Ridge State Forest will come as a very pleasant
surprise. The forest is an island in a sea of agriculture. Just minutes
southwest of Peoria, this 7,200-acre, the largest of Illinois' State Forests,
boasts sweeping expanses of native oak-hickory, extensive plantations
of pine, sprawling open fields, grasslands, and completely unique sand
prairies. For a refreshing,
invigorating taste of unspoiled nature and an opportunity to experience
truly unique environment, Sand Ridge State Forest is ideal.
The area is the result of a prehistoric dry
period when more desert-like conditions existed. Today it remains one
of the few places in Illinois that supports an intriguing variety of plants
and animals more associated with the southwest than the midwest. Those
include badger, silvery bladderpod,
pocket gopher and
prickly pear cactus to
name a few.
The raw, undeveloped expanses of hardwood
and pine blanketing the panoramic vistas contain miles of outstanding
hiking, backpacking, snowmobiling, and horseback riding opportunities.
Hunting of deer, turkey, pheasant, quail, dove, and squirrel is permitted.
There is a hand trap shooting facility and an archery range.
For the dedicated outdoors person this is
truly an island of great opportunity to see how diverse Illinois is. For
the day visitor, the forest offers picnic facilities and the chance for
fascinating experience with nature in the Henry
Allen Gleason Nature Preserve. You can enjoy the pristine sand prairie
in a protected area closed to vehicles, domestic animals and hunting.
A bird watcher's paradise, Sand Ridge State
Forest also is an important nesting area for a great variety of neo-tropical
migratory birds, such as ovenbird, indigo bunting, veery and scarlet tanager.
History
Fifteen thousand years ago the flood waters
of the last glaciation period receded down the Illinois River valley leaving
a vast deposit of sand near Pekin to down past Beardstown and as far west
as San Jose. A subsequent period of extreme dryness and warmth invited
plants and animals of the southwestern states to extend their range. Shifting
winds sculpted 100 foot high sand dunes evident today as the now wooded
ridges for which the forest is named.
In 1939, 5504 acres of this forested tract
was purchased by the state to be managed by the Division of Forestry as
an experimental forest. The Civilian Conservation Corps planted pine trees
to control erosion and demonstrate the viability of growing a commercial
tree crop in sandy soil. The current 2492 acres of pine plantations are
still producing sawlog-size timber for Illinois' future needs. The native
oak-hickory forest is selectively utilized for a firewood
cutting program. There are special times throughout the year when
firewood collection is allowed.
In 1971, the Division of Land Management
took over management of the site and the area became known as Sand Ridge
State Forest. Today, the forest covers 7500 acres -- 3996 acres of native
oak-hickory forest, 2492 acres of pine, and the rest in open fields and
sand prairies.
Picnicking
What better way to spend the day than to
load up the car with the family for an old-fashioned picnic. The Turkey
Pass Picnic Area is located on Cactus Drive just north of Pine Campground.
Table, grill, water, shelter, and pit-vault toilets are provided. Groups
of 25 or more must have a Group
Use Permit or may reserve the shelter using Reserve America.
Camping
If you and your family are interested in
a rustic setting for camping, Pine Campground is the place for you. It
contains 27 Class "C" sites featuring water, pit-vault toilets,
fire pad, and a place to park two vehicles. Oak Campground provides open
space, water, pit toilets, and council rings for organized group camping. Horseman's Park offers a staging area for equestrian
camping, and horseback riding activities with hitching rails, water, pit
toilets and a shelter area. Oak Campground and Horseman's Park have shelters and campsites
that can be rented by using the Reserve America website. If you are unable to reserve a campsite for the date you want, please contact us by phone, (309) 597-2212 or by email. Back-country camping
is available at 12 primitive sites along the 55 miles of trail for a true
wilderness camping experience. Users must obtain a permit from the Forest
Headquarters prior to back-country use.
Groups of 25 people
or more must have a Group Use
Permit from the Site Superintendent. Activity
Permits are required whenever a non-traditional use of any facility
is requested and/or any activity that might increase potential liability
tot he Department.
Pine Campground Photo
Gallery
Oak
Campgound Photo Gallery
Horseman's Campground Photo Gallery
Equestrian
Trails
Horseman's Park Campground offers Class C
camping for the equestrian community. The 50 miles of trails and over
120 miles of fire lanes offer the average equestrian an excellent opportunity
(Equestrian Regulations).
For a horse to cover all the trails and fire lanes, it would take a good
weekend's worth of riding. Fire pads, hitching rails, picket-line posts,
and pit-vault toilets are provided for visitor use. There is a shelter
for day use and can be reserved using Reserve America. If you are unable to reserve a campsite for the date you want, please contact us by phone, (309) 597-2212 or by email. Groups of 25 people
or more must have a Group Use
Permit from the Site Superintendent. Activity
Permits are required whenevera non-traditional use of any facitlity
is requested and/or any activity that might increase potential liability
to the Department.
Day use for the equestrain community is provided
at Mockernut Meadow Day Use Area. There you will find fire pads, tables
and teathering posts. The brome grass provides a great cover for horses
and sand to meet the day to day demand. Water buffalo keeps the horses
watered and had pump across the road to the south, provides water for
human consumption. Please no horses in the hand pump area, it is a restricted
area.
Hiking
Trails
Forty-four miles of marked trails, ranging
from 1.5 to 15 miles each, and 120 miles of fire lanes offer unequaled
opportunities to the hiker, back packer, horseback rider or snowmobiler.
Snowmobiling
A person can take advantage of 26 miles of
designated trails when there's at least 4 inches of snow. The trail head
is located at the Oak Campground just of Cactus Drive and the trail is
open 24 hours a day.
Hunting
An abundance of deer, red and gray fox, coyote,
squirrel, raccoon, quail, pheasant, woodcock and dove make this an ideal
location for hunting. Please check the Sportsman's Digest and the Digestof
Hunting & Trapping Regulation for requirements and shooting schedules.
Sand Ridge Hunter Fact
Sheet | Oakford Hunter
Fact Sheet
Sand
Ridge Sportsman's Digest | Oakford
Sportsmen's Digest | Sparks Pond
Sportsman's Digest | Henry Allen Gleason Sportsman's Digest | Revis Hill Prairie Sportsman's Digest | Windshield Card Web Page | Controlled Hunting Web Page
Hand Trap Range
A facility is open all year, except during
the upland game season, for visitors interested in shooting trap. Rifles
and handguns are not allowed on the hand trap range Remember to put spent
shells and other liter in it's place. Please register at the Forest Headquarters
and check the regulations before shooting.
Directions
From the west, east or south: Follow IL Rt
136 to Mason County Road 2800E and turn north. Continue in a straight
line for about 6 miles, through the village of Forest City. This road
will turn to the west and become Mason County Road 2300N and will lead
you directly into the forest. From the north, follow IL Rt 29 south out
of Pekin to the Manito Road, turn west and go to Manito, about 20 miles.
In Manito, watch for the sign for Mason County Road 2500N and again turn
west (right). In about 6 miles you will have entered the forest. From
either entrance, follow our clearly marked signs to the facility or destination
of your choice.
For more information contact site personnel
at Sand Ridge State Forest, P.O. Box 111, Forest City, IL 61532 or by
phone at 309-597-2212 or by fax at 309-597-2240 or by email.
For Your Information
In 1962, a forest fire burned more than 1500
acres of Sand Ridge. Please be very careful with smoking materials and
campfires. Report all fires to the forest headquarters immediately. The
fire lanes and trails are closed to all motorized traffic.
- 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.
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