Sand Ridge State Forest

About Sand Ridge State Forest

If you think that the center of Illinois is a single large corn field, the Sand Ridge State Forest will be a very pleasant surprise. This forest is an island in a sea of agriculture and one of the most beautiful places of the state, if not of the country.

Located just minutes southwest of Peoria, the Sand Ridge State Forest, covering 2.5 million acres, offers great views of the Illinois River and its tributaries. This area was the site of a prehistoric dry period, when there were more deserts and similar conditions. Today, it is one of the few places in Illinois that is home to plants and animals associated with the Southwest, not the Midwest. For a refreshing taste of nature and the opportunity to experience a truly unique environment, this is ideal for you.

Undeveloped areas and hardwood pines block the view, but also built-up hardwood and pine areas block the view. Some of the most popular plant and animal species in Sand Ridge State Forest include elk, coyotes, peregrine falcons and vultures, to name a few.

Permits for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and other recreational activities in Sand Ridge State Forest are permitted and subject to a $5 per person per day permit fee or $10 for a family of four.

For those who are committed to nature, Illinois is really a great place to see how diverse it is. The forest offers day visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating nature experiences at Henry Allen Gleason Nature Preserve.

You can enjoy protected areas that are closed to vehicles, pets and hunting. Sand Ridge State Forest is bordered to the north and south by the Chicago River, the Illinois River and the Mississippi River, as well as the Indiana River.

The flooding of the last Ice Age spilled into the Illinois River Valley, leaving behind huge deposits of sand in Pekin, which stretch past Beardstown and San Jose. The subsequent periods of extreme drought and heat invited plants and animals in the southwest to expand their range.

Changing winds formed sand dunes up to 100 feet high, which are now the wooded ridges after which the forest is named. In 1939 the state bought a forest area that was to be used by the forest administration as an experimental forest.

The native oak and hickory trees of the forest were selectively used for a firewood printing program, and the Civil Protection Corps planted pine trees to combat erosion and demonstrate the viability of the pine trees as material for building sand dunes and other structures. There is a special season in which firewood is allowed to be collected, but the knives are still produced by the State Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources (DNR) and the State Forestry Administration.

The area was administered by the Land Management Department in 1971, and the area became known as Sand Ridge State Forest. Today, the forest covers an area of 2.2 million hectares and is home to the Pine Campground, which still exists for families interested in a rustic camping environment.

The Oak Campground offers a wide range of camping options for families as well as a variety of outdoor activities. Horseman's Park offers hiking, biking, camping, fishing and other recreational activities in Sand Ridge State Forest. These include hiking trails, picnic areas, hiking and mountain biking trails, and a number of other trails.

The oak campsite in Horseman's Park has a shelter that can be rented by appointment and reservation with the Forest Service. Back - Camping in the countryside is also possible, offering a real wilderness camping experience with a variety of camping options and a wide range of outdoor activities for families.

Users must obtain permission from the Forestry Commission to use these land in the country, and groups of 25 or more people need permission from a site manager. Permits are required when applying for a permit, which could increase the potential liability of the ministry.

Turkey Pass is located on Cactus Drive north of Pine Campground. This could be a great place to spend the day with the family and have an old fashioned picnic.

Groups of 25 or more people require a group permit and can reserve accommodation, with a reservation sent to the site manager. Additional accommodation for groups of up to 10 people and a picnic area are available at the Pine Campground and the Turkey Pass.

The equestrian park is the starting point for all your equestrian treatments and offers the average rider excellent opportunities, with riding rules and a wide range of options.

Accommodations are available for daily use and can be reserved by booking with the forest administration. There are no toilets for visitors and groups must have a work permit, but accommodation is available and free for all visitors.

Forty to four kilometres of marked trails, ranging from 1.6 to 17 miles in length, offer hikers, backpackers, riders and snowmobilers unparalleled opportunities. The hiking trails are open 24 hours a day and are located at the Oak Campground near Cactus Drive. If there is at least 4 inches of snow, a person may use up to 26 miles of designated trails during the winter months, but no more than 2.5 miles at any time and no more than 4 miles at any other time of the year. In winter, when there was no more than 3 inches of ice or snow on the snowmobile trail, no one can use the trail, and there can be no designated 26-kilometer trail in winter.

The hiking trails are open 24 hours a day and are located at the Oak Campground just off Cactus Drive. The facility is open from 9 am to 4 pm. M. for hiking, camping, trapping, fishing and other activities, as well as camping.

Rifles and handguns must not be placed over railings and you must register with the Forestry Commission. Please follow the rules before filming and register at the Oak Campground or at any of the other facilities.

Follow IL - Rt 136 a few miles, turn west, east, south and north to Oak Campground at the intersection of Illinois State Route 136 and IL-Rt 135.

Follow IL - Rt 29 north of South Pekin to Manito Road, turn west and drive approximately 20 miles to the intersection of IL-Rt 28 and Manita Road. From Manitos, look for the sign for Mason County Road 2500N and turn west again. This road will take you to an intersection with Illinois State Route 136 at the entrance to Sand Ridge State Park. Turn west, travel south on Route 136 of Illinois State approximately 10 miles and the road will turn east to south and then west to north to east.

After about 6 miles you will reach the forest at the entrance to Sand Ridge State Park, about 1.5 miles north of Manitos.

At the entrance of the facility you choose, follow the fountain - marked signs for the entrance, facilities and the objectives of choice.