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Nearby Parks:
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Braidwood National Park Service Heliport
Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area
Norwegian Settlers State Memorial
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| Camping: |
| Primitive tent camping only: gear must be walked (1/3 mile) to campsite, no vehicular access. Fire rings, picnic tables, and grills are located in the camping area. A drinking fountain and pit toilets are located within a short distance from the camping area. A camping permit must be obtained from the information center which is open daily 10am - 4pm. |
| Trails: |
| Gebhard Woods is only a footbridge away from the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail. This 61 mile trail on the old canal towpath is easy walking and gives access to unparalleled scenic and historic sights. Bicyclists can also take advantage of the groomed towpath to enjoy the natural and manmade wonders. The trail is marked and has various wayside exhibits that describe features of the canal era encountered along the way. Due to the trail's composition, horseback riding isn't allowed.
After a minimum of four inches of snowfall, snowmobilers may travel the 61 miles of marked trail available along the canal. Registration is required, so call ahead to the park office for snowfall and registration information. Cross country skiing is also permitted on the trail. |
| Picnicking: |
| Gebhard Woods provides rustic beauty with five shady picnic areas. These areas are complete with picnic tables and grills. A large shelter with electrical service, water fountain and restrooms nicely located near the playground area is available for reservations to host that special outdoor occasion. A slightly smaller shelter near the front of the park complete with electricity and nearby drinking fountain and restroom is available on a first come first serve basis. If time allows, join in a baseball game on the diamond while the smaller children enjoy the playground area. Horseshoe pits are also available near the large shelter. |
| Boating: |
| Canoeists can travel 15 miles of the canal in open water between Channahon State Park and Gebhard Woods. Paddlers can spend the day enjoying the natural beauty and abundant wildlife as they float between these two parks. The Aux Sable access area located between Channahon State park and Gebhard Woods is home to an original locktender's house, Aux Sable aqueduct and canal Lock #8, a perfect place to land the canoe and have a picnic lunch. Small fishing boats with electric motors are also allowed in the Canal. Gas powered motors are prohibited due to the shallow depth of the canal and the fragile embankments. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| There are three fishing ponds available in the park. Bring your fishing gear and try your skill at catching bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and bullhead. These small ponds provide a great place for the entire family to enjoy a relaxing day casting away the hours. Fishing is also available in the Illinois & Michigan Canal and in Nettle Creek. |
| History of the Area: |
| Gebhard Woods State Park was originally purchased from Mrs. William Gebhard by the Grundy County Rod & Gun Club in 1934 for the amount of $1,500.00. A game fish rearing pool was developed on the property by the Rod and Gun club who in turn donated the property to the State of Illinois to be developed and maintained as Gebhard Woods State Park. Members of the Brandon-Morris Civilian Conservation Corps were employed by the Department of the Interior to clear and landscape this newly formed state park. The CCC developed two additional spawning pools for game fish, interior trails, a large shelter of handhewn beams with flagstone flooring, two small log shelters complete with fireplaces, a sheltered resting bench and a large stone fireplace.
Today, hikers, campers, picnickers, and canoeists frequent this 30-acre site, making it one of the state's most popular state parks. Located in Morris, this picturesque park is bordered on the south by the Illinois & Michigan Canal and to the north by Nettle Creek which gently flows along the perimeter and through the park adding to its natural beauty and abundance of wildlife. Stately old trees including walnut, oak, ash, maple, sycamore, hawthorn and cottonwood provide ample shade throughout the park. In the spring, trillium, bluebell, white trout lily, violets, wild ginger, phlox, toothwort and spring beauties are just a sample of the wildflowers that can be enjoyed by park visitors. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Gebhard Woods State Park, I&M Canal State Trail Access - This page provides maps, photos and directions for visiting Gebhard Woods State Park and the I & M Canal State Trail. Located at 15701 S. Independence Blvd., Lockport, Ill., 60441 tel (815) 740 ... | | Park and Surrounding Area - Park and Accomodation GEBHARD WOODS STATE PARK, with its wealth of stately old shade trees, is located in the peaceful town of ... to the south of Gebhard Woods State Park is the site of an old ... | | Gebhard Woods Dulcimer Festival - ... The 16th annual Gebhard Woods Dulcimer Festival will be held July 12-13, 2003 at Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris, IL The festival features a wonderful lineup of performers with concerts and ... | | American Discovery Trail: Illinois - ... Illinois Trail Parks Channahon State Park McKinley Woods State Park William G. Stratton State Park Gebhard Woods State Park Starved Rock State Park Mathhiessen State Park Hennepin Canal State Park ... | | American Discovery Trail: Illinois - ... passes through Channahon, McKinley Woods, and William G. Stratton State Parks, and Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris. The biggest tree in Illinois, an eastern cottonwood, grows in Gebhard Woods ... | | DNR - DNR ... O'Lakes State Park Channahon State Park Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area Gebhard Woods State Park Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area Heidecke Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area Illinois ... | | Heritage Corridor - Convention & Visitors Bureau - Grundy - Gebhard Woods State Park 402 Ottawa Street, Morris 815/942-0796 Ballfield, fishing ponds, picnic shelters, hiking, biking, bird watching, ice fishing, ice skating and snowmobiling. Goose Lake ... | | Chicago Life: City Life - ... slide. DuPage County Forest Preserve Web: www.dupageforest.com 630-790-4900 Hiking and camping Gebhard Woods State Park Morris 815-942-9669 This small park is used mainly by cyclists on the ... | | Gebhard Woods State Park - Gebhard Woods State Park Overview. |
| Directions: |
| From Rte. #47 in Morris, turn west on Jefferson St (Jefferson will turn into Freemont St. a few blocks down). Continue on Freemont St. to Ottawa St, turn left on Ottawa St. and the Park is located approximately a block and a half down on the left hand side. |
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