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Illinois State Parks

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Illinois
Central Region
Kickapoo State Park
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Kickapoo State Park © Armand deBlouwe
Kickapoo State Park © Armand deBlouwe
Kickapoo State Park © Armand deBlouwe
Kickapoo State Park © Armand deBlouwe
Kickapoo State Park © Armand deBlouwe
Kickapoo State Park Open Spaces © Stephen a Crawford
one of the many open areas to enjoy here
Kickapoo State Park Pilars © Stephen a Crawford
trees that once soared now a safe place for aquatic life
Kickapoo State Park Deer Family © Stephen a Crawford
many deer live here in the park, they thrive here in safety.
Kickapoo State Park Special Place © Stephen a Crawford
many finds await you here
Kickapoo State Park Clear Water © Stephen a Crawford
Christal clear water abounds here
Kickapoo State Park Misty © Stephen a Crawford
fog rises from the warm water for a new day
Kickapoo State Park Fall By The Waters EDGE © Stephen a Crawford
one of the amazing and wonderful finds along the many trails in the park.
Kickapoo State Park Goose © Stephen a Crawford
many of these to enjoy live here year round
Kickapoo State Park Special Moment © Stephen a Crawford
pleasureful serine places are everywhere
Kickapoo State Park Come and Walk © Stephen a Crawford
many trails await you here
Kickapoo State Park Clear Lake in Winter © Stephen a Crawford
the park is unique different and beautiful even in winter
Kickapoo State Park New Day © Stephen a Crawford
early in the morning you can see the event unfold
Kickapoo State Park Pure Magic © Stephen a Crawford
if you come at sunrise this may surprise you
Kickapoo State Park Lone Swan © Stephen a Crawford
at clear lake you may find some special friends.
Kickapoo State Park Spring Morning © Stephen a Crawford
there is a special beauty here not like any other place
Kickapoo State Park Special Place on Clear Pond © Stephen a Crawford
Clear pond offers a variety of interesting landscape
Kickapoo State Park © Nancy Hendrickson
Kickapoo State Park © Nancy Hendrickson
Kickapoo State Park © Nancy Hendrickson
Kickapoo State Park © Nancy Hendrickson
Kickapoo State Park © Nancy Hendrickson
Kickapoo State Park © Carol Nichols
Kickapoo State Park © Carol Nichols
Kickapoo State Park Afternoon Cleansing © Tim A. DeVore
A lone Goose photographed in Kickapoo State Park at Emerald Pond on 07/26/2008.
Kickapoo State Park Pond6 © Tim A. DeVore
Photographed at Kickapoo State Park on 10/25/2009.
Kickapoo State Park © james d keigley
Kickapoo State Park © james d keigley
Kickapoo State Park © james d keigley
Kickapoo State Park © james d keigley
Kickapoo State Park © Armand deBlouwe
Kickapoo State Park © Armand deBlouwe
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KICKAPOO STATE PARK
KICKAPOO STATE PARK
10906 Kickapoo Park Road
Oakwood, Illinois   61858

Phone: 217-442-4915
Reservations: 217-442-4915
Email: park email button icon
Where in Illinois can you go running or hiking, canoeing, fishing for trout, camping, hunting or scuba diving -- all against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty?

Kickapoo State Recreation Area near Danville in Vermilion County, that's where. The site is easily reached via Interstate 74.

Once a scarred wasteland ravaged by turn-of-the-century strip-mine operations, Kickapoo State State Recreation Area's 2,842 acres now provide an outdoor playground with something to appeal to every member of the family. Twenty two deep water ponds, ranging in size from 0.2 of an acre to 57 acres, provide a total of 221 acres of water for boaters,canoeists and anglers. Lushly forested uplands and bottomlands along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River is habitat for enough birds, wildlife and wildflowers to please any nature lover, while nature trails and running trails provide pathways to inspiration and physical fitness. If you want a less demanding excursion in the outdoors, there are facilities for camping and picnicking.

Kickapoo owes its crystal clear ponds and luxuriantly forested ridges and hillsides to the regenerative powers of nature. Nearly a century of coal production using strip-mining techniques devastated the landscape. But during the past 50 years, trees and vegetation have gradually reclaimed naked ridges of subsoil, and stagnant mine ponds gradually have cleared.

The park apparently was the first in the nation built on strip-mined land, and one of the first to be subsidized through public contributions. The state's initial purchase of 1,290 acres of mined lands from United Electric Coal Co. in 1939 was largely underwritten with contributions collected from Danville area residents.
Nature of the Area
Natural Features

If you're a hiker, a wildflower enthusiast or a lover of wildlife, Kickapoo State Park is a prime area for you to pursue your passion year-round.

Once stark strip mine banks are now covered with a forest of cottonwood, haw, ash and wild cherry. Deep water ponds abound with aquatic insects, plants, crustaceans, amphibians and a variety of fish. Cypresses, introduced along the pond edges, add to the variety.

The Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, a federal and state designated Scenic River, runs through the park.

A bottomland forest of sycamores and silver maples and upland timbers of stately oaks, hickories, beeches, sugar maples and dogwoods are an endless source of fascination for nature lovers and habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The variety, number and mix of hardwood species present in Kickapoo's upland and bottomland forests translate into a firestorm of fall color each autumn.

In spring, the woods explode with a vibrant display of colorful wildflowers, including jack-in-the-pulpits, violets, bluebells, sweet Williams, spring beauties, Dutchman's-breeches, wake-robins and nodding trilliums.

In the bottomlands, birders may spot kingfishers or pileated woodpeckers flitting among the stately trees. Other species that may be glimpsed include red-winged blackbirds, least bitterns, grebes, great blue herons, warblers, vireos and a variety of songbirds, and even wild turkeys. A birding check list available at the park office lists more than 100 species documented at the park.

A variety of animal life can be seen, including white-tailed deer, squirrel, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, muskrat, mink and ground squirrels.

Nature lovers should be wary. In addition to the trees and wildflowers that proliferate at Kickapoo State Park, poison ivy is abundant. People using the trails should learn to identify the poison ivy plant and avoid it at all times of the year.
History of the Area
Kickapoo State Recreation Area and the surrounding area have a long and rich cultural history. Archaeological excavations have provided evidence of a prehistoric village on the Middle Fork River near the park that was home to Native Americans of the Woodland and Mississippian cultures between A.D. 500 and 1500.

A Kickapoo village was located at the confluence of the Middle Fork and Salt Fork rivers. It was in this village that Kennekuk, the "Kickapoo Prophet" lived.

Kennekuk became a religious leader espousing a modified form of Christianity that incorporated elements of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. A staunch advocate of temperance, Kennekuk became a mediator between local Native Americans and European settlers. He was a signer of several Indian treaties with the United States.

European settlers were drawn to the area by the presence of salt springs, called salines, which were discovered in 1819. Wells were dug to obtain salt brine, which was then boiled down to obtain salt. The salt works were operated by a variety of operators until 1848, producing at the height of operation about 120 bushels of salt per week. One of the original iron rendering kettles can be seen in a small memorial at Salt Kettle Rest Area on I-74.

Among the early settlers in the area were John Cox, Indian fighter and scout during the Black Hawk War, and his wife, Polly. Both are buried in a small pioneer cemetery overlooking the former site of their farmstead cabin near the entrance to Campground Fox. Additional settlers from the area are interred in the All hands Cemetery, just east of the main park pavilion.

Between 1850 and about 1940, much of the Kickapoo State Park area was strip-mined for coal. In fact, Vermilion County is said to be the birthplace of commercial strip-mining practices and one of the first areas to use mechanization for strip mining. The spoil piles and mine pits left behind after nearly a century of mining was the legacy from which nature had to recover to transform Kickapoo State Park into the outdoor playground it is today.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Bike Trailsyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Electric Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Camping
For campers, Kickapoo has two major campgrounds for tent and trailer camping, with 184 sites. About half the sites have electrical hookups, 2 shower buildings are available to all campers and a sanitary dump station is available. Campers occupying electrical sites are required to pay for the availability of electricity even if the service is not used. A limited number of walk-in sites are available for primitive campers.

Several campsites can be reserved in advance by writing the site or by applying in person. The maximum length of stay is 15 days in a 30-day period. Group camping is permitted.

Campers must have camping equipment with them when they register to camp. All campers must obtain a camping permit before entering the campgrounds.
Swimming
1. Kickapoo State Park offers two main swimming options: Inland Sea and Sportsman's Lake.
2. The park does not provide lifeguards, so swim at your own risk.
3. Swimming is allowed from sunrise to sunset in designated areas only.
4. Both lakes are man-made with sandy beaches for sunbathing or picnicking near the waterline.
5. Water quality tests are performed regularly ensuring safe conditions for swimmers of all ages.
6. The depth varies across both bodies of water making it suitable for different skill levels.
7. Swimming accessories like floats and inflatables can be used but must comply with safety regulations.

Boating
There are 12 launching ramps on nine of Kickapoo's lakes. Boat and canoe rental is available for Clear Pond. Electric motors only are allowed on the park's lakes.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in 22 clear, deep lakes with species like largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Two are dedicated for trout seasonally. Canoeing is also available on the Vermilion River where smallmouth bass thrive.
Canoeing
For people wanting to canoe the scenic Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, a canoe rental and shuttle service is available.


Location
Kickapoo State Park is located near Danville

Picnicking
Kickapoo State Park offers numerous picnic areas with tables and grills. Some sites have shelters, playgrounds, and restroom facilities nearby.
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts can explore over 20 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging. Be cautious on rough terrains.

Mountain bikers should be aware that some paths are shared with hikers and horseback riders; exercise caution.

The park's terrain varies significantly, so cyclists need to prepare for both flat stretches and steep hillsides.

During wet conditions, certain routes may become slippery or muddy - proceed carefully in these areas.

Remember: safety gear such as helmets is crucial when biking here due to the varying trail difficulties and potential hazards.

Night cycling isn't recommended because visibility decreases substantially after sunset which could lead to accidents.

In winter months, icy patches might form on tracks making them potentially dangerous for bicyclists without proper equipment.

For those seeking a leisurely ride rather than an intense workout - there's also a paved path suitable for all skill levels.


Trails
If you're into physical fitness, the 7.6-mile Out & Back running and hiking trail offers you a chance to exercise while enjoying awe-inspiring natural scenery. The course is rated "difficult" and is designed to meet the demands of experienced outdoor hikers or runners, passing through forests, bottomlands and the edge areas of abandoned croplands.

If you want a less demanding walk, there are a number of shorter and easier hiking trails in the park, that are well marked.

You bring the hot dogs and the burgers, and Kickapoo has everything else you need for a summertime picnic. Six main picnic areas are available with shelters, tables, outdoor stoves, drinking water and playground equipment. A concession stand, 217-354-2060,offers refreshments and souvenirs on summer weekends, and rents canoes and rowboats daily except Wednesday. Picnic shelters maybe reserved upon request by calling the site.

Mountain Biking:

If you are into a challenging ride, try the 12 miles of the best single track trails in Illinois. The trails are rated easy to very technical. Enjoy the wooded hills and ravines of the park as you ride the best mountain bike trails in central Illinois.
Birding
Birdwatchers can explore over 2,800 acres of diverse habitats. The park is home to more than 100 bird species. Options include self-guided tours or joining local Audubon Society outings for group birding experiences. Bird sightings often include waterfowl, warblers and raptors among others.
Area Attractions
Scuba Diving:

Kickapoo is unique in that it is one of only a few state parks and recreation areas in Illinois allowing scuba diving. Divers who register and who show proper certification may dive in the clear, deep waters of Inland Sea and Sportsman's Lake.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
December 4 Kickapoo MTB Exceeds Expectations by Steve Carr
park review stars; one to five Kickapoo State Recreation Area has over 22 miles of mountain biking trails. These trails draw visitors from all over the Midwest. You will be surprised with the quality of the trail system and the beauty of the park. Everyone will find something they love about riding here. There is a great mountain biking guide available for those wanting to learn about the trails. This guide was created by the local city to promote the trail system. https//storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/aa2e3a41c3dc40fdb2aee1f3d0c2d058
August 11 loved the wildlife by dotty roberts
park review stars; one to five it was a very quite plac3e and peaceful. I loved it all of us enjoyed the deer walking around.
October 11 Great for the whole family
park review stars; one to five We love coming out because the lots are a good size and when with a large group we have room to set up yard games. Can also keep an eye on kids at the site on top with the circle and the playground.
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