Stephen A Forbes State Park, an Illinois State Park located nearby Salem, Vandalia

STEPHEN A FORBES STATE PARK

STEPHEN A FORBES STATE PARK
6924 Omega Road
Kinmundy, Illinois 62854

Phone: 618-547-3381
Email:

Stephen A Forbes State Park
© Sandy K Woodall

Stephen A Forbes State Park

Picture yourself on the banks of a beautiful lake, surrounded by shady oaks and rolling hills. The presence of a graceful heron on the water, or deer or even a wild turkey in the nearby brush may be visible. A tug on the fishing line brings you back to the task at hand -- reeling in the first or your limit of largemouth bass, bluegill or crappie. As the sun comes up, take a swim at sandy Rocky Point Beach. The rest of the day offers many options, from hiking on the nature trails, to softball or volleyball at the Circle Drive Picnic Area to water skiing. Or, you may want to spend the night at the Oak Ridge Campground. All of this, and more, awaits visitors to Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.

History of the Area

The Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, located 15 miles northeast of Salem in Marion County, was originally only 20 acres with a two-acre pond being the only water available. Since that time in 1959, additions have been made which bring the total current park area to 3,103 acres. Of this total, 1,150 acres are forests of oak and hickory which surround a large lake. The lake was completed in 1963 and has 18 miles of shoreline. The area is named for natural scientist, Stephen Alfred Forbes, whose contributions in the field of biology, make him world renowned. His prolific scientific publications, over 400 titles, are still used extensively in the study of aquatic biology, ornithology, ichthyology, and ecology.

Camping

A recently modernized camping area, Oak Ridge Campground, is a great place to spend an overnight stay. There are 115 shaded campsites with electricity, water and a shower building available. Two sets of stairways and boat dock provide access to the lake for campers here. A 120-foot floating walkway connects the campground with the marina area as well.

If you have a group, two Rent-A-Camp sites are available. One site provides a large wall tent, cots, electric lights, table and grill. All you need to bring are people -- it can accommodate up to eight. The other site has a two room cabin with bunkbeds. These sites can be reserved by contacting the Park Office. For those preferring a more secluded spot with a scenic view of the lake, 10 walk-in sites are available. A separate Youth Group Camp is available at the Persimmon and Whippoorwill areas.

Area Accommodations

Rim Rock's Dogwood Cabins - Elizabethtown, IL

Cottages and Cabins

Southern Illinois Cabins with all amenities, surrounded by The Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. All cabins have air conditioning, heat, kitchen including stove, frig, microwave, coffee maker, toaster bathroom with shower, screened in porch, electric fireplace, satellite tv with HBO and DVD, all linens, cookware, plates, utensil, outside grill and picnic table.

Web Site: http://www.rimrocksdogwoodcabins.com

White River Outfitters Rentals - Shoals, IN

Cottages and Cabins

A store that caters to all of your boating, hunting, fishing and outdoor adventure needs. We offer canoe and kayak rentals for one and two day trips on the White River. New G3 brand jon boats as well as a used inventory. NEW White River Cabin on a peaceful river bank setting.

Web Site: http://www.whiteriveroutfittersonline.com/

Willowbrook Cabin Rental - Golconda, IL

Cottages and Cabins

LARGE 2 and 3 bedroom private CABINS located near many of the major ATTRACTIONS of the Shawnee National FOREST and the surrounding Southern ILLINOIS area. All cabins offer incredible VALUE as they are fully furnished with everything needed including full kitchens with cookware, microwave, liens, fire pits and wood, outdoor grill, satellite TV and even FREE internet. Open all seasons

Web Site: http://www.WillowBrookCabins.com

Doc's Lakeside Cabin - Jonesboro, IL

Cottages and Cabins

Doc's Lakeside Cabin was built in 2012 and is located in beautiful Southern Illinois. Let us welcome you to setting where you can rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

Web Site: http://www.docslakesidecabin.com

Cedar Sunset Cabin - Buncombe, IL

Cottages and Cabins

Top notch accommodations on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest.

Web Site: http://www.cedarsunsetcabin.com

CLICK HERE for even more local accommodations

Swimming

A beautiful 200-foot sand beach is located at Rocky Point where visitors can enjoy swimming or picnicking at the tables provided here. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Rocky Point Area. Swimming is prohibited at all other areas of the lake, and swimming from boats is also prohibited.

Boating

Boat ramps provide easy access to the main lake. There is no limit on horsepower, but various sections of the lake are marked by buoys for water skiing and "no wake" speeds. The concession offers fishing boats for rental. Bait, tackle, gas, snacks, and meals are also available. Slips are available to rent for pontoon boats and smaller craft on a daily and seasonal basis.

Get directions
to this park:

Nearby Parks

Sam Dale Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

Picnicking

Very popular with day visitors are the many shady, picnic areas. Choose from Lookout Point, Stage Coach Trail, Black Oak, Sassafras, White Oak, Whippoorwill or Circle Drive areas. Picnic tables, pit toilets, and park grills are available at all sites. Circle Drive Picnic Area provides a more open setting and has an area for softball, volleyball or other games requiring an open grass area. Playground equipment is also available here, and at Sassafras Picnic area as well. Rustic park shelters enhance the areas at Whippoorwill, Sassafras, Stage Coach Trail and, Circle Drive Picnic Areas. Several can be reserved in advance by contacting the site office.

Trails

Equestrian Trails and Campground:

A 15-mile horse trail circles the lake, offering horse and rider a panorama of natural beauty. Also available for the equestrian is a 21-site campground with electricity, located on mile east of Omega. The horse trail is open from May 1 to November 1.

Hiking:

There are four established nature trails for hiking enthusiasts. The Oak Ridge Trail is a 2.5-mile loop trail located in the campground. For those preferring shorter walks, the Marlow Pond Trail is half-mile long, the Henneman Trail which guides the hiker to an early settlement cemetery is only a quarter-mile long, or take the Phillips Creek Trail -- a quarter mile with access to the lake.

Things To Do in the Area

White River Outfitters Rentals - Shoals, IN

Canoeing

Web Site: http://www.whiteriveroutfittersonline.com/

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

April 22 if your physical, you are limited. by Joey J.

For those that like to drive in a trailer, plug in your electrical outlet, boat on the water and enjoy high tech modern camping this is a great park. Not many pine trees! If you like hiking trails, bicycling, primitive camping, and jogging, you will be disappointed. The parks roads are dangerous to cycle on, trees/shrubs grow right up to the side of the pavement, many blind curves and many speeders. Many small unexciting hiking trails, only one really good long trail in the campground. Overall a great place to Picnic, camp and boat. A great recreation area. Not many pine trees at this park.

March 2 good but needs improving by Truthful review

My family and I have been camping at Forbes for 20 years. The campground is a great atmosphere and have had a lot of great times there. Although recently the prices have taken a dramatic increase. The prices have almost doubled from what they use to be. I recommend it to anyone looking for that quiet atmosphere. Since they have made improvements to the shower house and bathroom facilities the need for more water hook ups are needed . Some camp sites you can reach the water hookup some you cant unless you take extra hose. I read a review of the camp ground hosts being rude and crude.....I have to agree I know hosts are not all the same year round and they change throughout the year and not all are this way, I have had only one complaint due to a camp ground host. The hosts we had the pleasure to speak with during our time there was exceptionally rude. I can only guess to the reason why. But I have to bank on our young apearance being the reason for the rude greeting. Wish I had taken his and her name. Although we had a bad experience My wife and I plan to return and hope we do not have the same experience as before. Hope everyone has as good of a time as we have had over the years.

January 14 I love Forbes by Jeremy

Forbes is a great family place to go. The park has all paved roads great for walking a bike rideing. The bathrooms are very clean all the time. Always very friendly people! All around fun and beautiful place!

December 19 Amazing!

me and my family went there for a day this fall it was bueatiful and very neat. the picnic areas are great and we are planing many more trips to this park even tho we live very near there. the water was also great it seeemed clean and safe for the kids i will hightly recemend this to any family looking to take that weekend of.

October 4 Needs maintenance by KPL215

I have stayed several times, but see this place needs improvements. Whoever maintains and supervises, needs to work abit harder. Dirty campsits, litter near sites, Piles of campfire ash piled near sites. Dirty dipers in womans bath room. 2barking dog rule not enforced. $20 is too much to pay. They need clean...

July 16 Too expensive

Given the fact that the hook up is electric only and the fishing is almost non-existent its is definetly not worth the $20 fee! The camp hostest is something else... probably one of the rudest people you will find in the area. If you do visit, please do not let her leave you with the impression that all locals act like her.

April 11 Home by Richard Bice

I am from Salem,IL I have been living in Dallas, TX now for 5 years. I miss the serenity and tranquility of nature, fishing, hunting and all around nature of Forbes SP, I hunted and fished many seasons there, but most of all I miss my home...

September 15 Great place to get away from it all. by K. Williams

We camp at many campgrounds throughout the state of Illinois, and Stephen Forbes is one of our favorites. Besides the great fauna, the fishing is spectacular (Mostly by boat). The campground is great, and kept very clean. The hosts are wonderful. I would recommend this park to anyone.

June 19 Nice place - good fishing also

Cost of camping - $20.00 per night

June 14 thats where we always go by jo ferrell

i love camping. only place we go is forbes we like the invirorment its always friendly and cosey. we always feel at home when were there. i was looking up your web site and you dont have the cost up on it its been 3 years scents i been there. so i would like to now what each night would be for tent and pull trail. we would be using tent for now but will go back to pull camper. so i would now the price for both please. it would be informationable. this summer will be are first camping out in tent in 3 years and not sure of price on it. so please email me back thanks jo ferrell

May 27

it was amazing

May 23

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