Things to Do in Kickapoo State Recreation Area

Kickapoo State Recreation Area is a 2,842-acre park in Vermilion County, Illinois. It is notable as the first park in the United States established on reclaimed coal strip-mining land, featuring a diverse landscape of rolling hills, ravines, and bluffs.

Kickapoo State Recreation Area offers various outdoor activities, including hiking and jogging. The park features approximately 35 miles of trails that traverse forests, bottomlands, and areas along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River.

Yes, Kickapoo State Recreation Area provides approximately 35 miles of hiking trails. These trails range in difficulty and offer diverse scenery, including forested uplands and bottomlands. More information can be found in the Hiking in Kickapoo State Recreation Area guide.

Notable hiking trails include the 7.6-mile (12.2 km) "Out and Back" trail, the 3.1-mile (5 km) Clear Lake Trail known for "Spooky Hollow" and steep terrain, and the 2.5-mile (4 km) Riverview Trail offering views of the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River. The 1.5-mile (2.4 km) High Lake Trail also includes an ADA accessible portion.

Yes, Kickapoo State Recreation Area offers trails suitable for various difficulty levels, including shorter, well-marked options for less strenuous walks. The High Lake Trail, which is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long, features an ADA accessible portion.

The park features rolling hills, ravines, bluffs, and the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, a designated Scenic River. Visitors can see diverse tree species like oaks, hickories, sycamores, and bald cypresses, along with seasonal wildflowers in spring and vibrant fall foliage.

Kickapoo State Recreation Area is home to white-tailed deer, squirrels, and raccoons. Birdwatchers may spot kingfishers and pileated woodpeckers. The Middle Fork Woods Nature Preserve within the park is also the only known location in Illinois for the silvery salamander.

Kickapoo State Recreation Area features 8 routes on komoot, with 5 dedicated to hiking and 3 to jogging. These routes have an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars, based on experiences shared by more than 30 visitors.

Yes, a dedicated komoot guide titled Hiking in Kickapoo State Recreation Area is available. This guide provides specific information about hiking opportunities within the park.

The official website for Kickapoo State Recreation Area is maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It can be accessed at illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/KickapooStateRecreationArea.aspx.

The main park office for Kickapoo State Recreation Area can be reached by phone. The contact number is +1-217-442-4915.