Pyramid State Park, an Illinois State Park near Carterville, Du Quoin

USA

Illinois

Pyramid State Park

Photo Courtesy Lisa Hinklin

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

State Park Location Maps:

(click here to zoom and navigate local map)

(click here to zoom and navigate regional map)

View TOPO Maps!

Get directions to this park:

State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open

Photo Courtesy Lisa Hinklin

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

State Park Link:
Pyramid State Park

Nearby Parks:
Lake Murphysboro State Park
Kinkaid Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

State Park Contact Information:
	Pyramid State Park 1562 Pyramid Park Rd. Pinckneyville, Illinois 62274 Phone: 618-357-2574 Email: dnr.r5parks@illinois.gov
Adopt-A-Park Contacts:
	Photography: add your photos

State Park Overview:

Pyramid State Recreation Area consists of heavily forested hills and many lakes and ponds. Southern Illinois University formerly owned and used 924 acres for research. In 1968, Pyramid became a State Recreation Area, and at this time received the 924 acres from Southern Illinois University. Additional land acquisition, and the latest acquisition of the Arch Mineral Properties, and the purchase of the Satellite area known as Campbell Pond consisting of 520 acres brings the total overall acreage to 19,701 making Pyramid the largest State Recreation Area in Illinois and gets its name from a coal mine that once existed here.

More than 500 acres of water form lakes varying in size from 0.1 acres to 276 acres. The largest lake on the property is known as "Super Lake" located on the Arch acquisition of the "Captain Unit". Most of the lakes on the original Pyramid Site were created prior to 1950. Since many of the lakes can be reached only by foot, Pyramid affords an opportunity for the angler to get away from crowds.

Nature of the Area:

Wildlife

Many species of wildlife may be found in the area, including songbirds, deer, squirrels, beavers, rabbits, turkey, bobcat, raccoons, possums, coyotes, weasel, mink, woodchucks and waterfowl.

Reviews By Park Visitors:

visitor rating:

(1 vote) |Post Your Own Review

BEST PARK AROUND

THIS PARK HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SEE FROM FISHING TO SNAKE HUNTING . YOU MAY WANT TO ASK THE RANGER IS NEAR BY IS A BIG HUMONGOUS TREE YOU MAY NEED BINOCULARS TO SEE THE BALD EAGLE . I WAS THERE IN 03 04

Written by WOW 21-Aug-2008

Camping:

Tent and trailer camping are permitted at designated camping areas only. There are three Class C camping areas, Class D hike-in campsites, a small equestrian camp and a youth group camping area. Water and a trailer dump station are available near the site office. There are no electrical hookups in the camping areas.

Trails:

There are 16.5 miles of foot and horse trails and this includes Mountain bike riding. Future plans include increasing the mileage of the hiking, mountian bike and equestrian trail system to expand to the newly acquired Arch property.

Boating:

Canoeing is popular because of the rough terrain, and boats with 10-hp motors or less are allowed. Boat launches are available at some of the larger lakes.

Fishing and Hunting:

Fishing

Fisherman will find that largemouth bass and bluegill are the predominant species. Lost Lake (a hike-in lake) and some of the other lakes contain a hybrid of green sunfish/bluegill. There also are redear and channel catfish in some of the lakes.

Hunting

Waterfowl hunting is not permitted on the old original section of Pyramid, however, Waterfowl Hutning is allowed at the newly acquired Arch Mineral Property consisting of the "Galum" unit, "Captain" unit and the "Denmark" unit. In addition, deer hunting and upland game hunting will be offered on this area. Check for site specific information. This area is a managed quality hunting area which means you may take a buck deer with a minimum of 4 points on one side. Upland Game is by drawing, and a free upland game application must be submitted by mail to our Springfield office.

History of the Area:

In 1962, the state's first strip-mine reclamation law became effective. The most common method of reclamation in the 1930's was tree planting, but this was discouraging as the trees brought no quick economic return. A mature hardwood timber consisting of mostly White Oak and Hickory on the West edge of the park is an area about 20 acres which was not strip-mined.

Several stands of conifers were planted years ago, and there is a timber cover of cottonwood, box elder and sycamore. Oak and hickory trees are increasing in number.

Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com

...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, etc