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. The foundation has provided part-time summer student interpreters, playground equipment and the interpretive pond outside of the Visitors' Center. 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. Please visit the website to find out about upcoming events and programs.
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 for reservation. Reservations are available online at www.reserveamerica.com.
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" (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. The shower buildings are closed
by November 1st (may be earlier if bad weather) and reopen May
1st (may be earlier
- weather depending). Reservations are
available online at www.reserveamerica.com.
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.
Fox Ridge Hunter
Fact Sheet | Hurricane
Creek Hunter Fact Sheet
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
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.
- 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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