Illinois County Parks - Champaign County


Lake of the Woods County Park
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Salt Fork River Forest Preserve

Lake of the Woods County Park
Mahomet, Illinios

Lake of the Woods County Park is a popular site located in a rolling wooded area near Mahomet, Illinois. This beautiful park occupies almost 900 acres along the corridor of the Sangamon River. Highlighting Lake of the Woods are several well-known attractions: the Early American Museum, Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens, and Hartwell C. Howard Lake of the Woods Golf Course. Check for updates on the Lake of the Woods Dam repair project.

Located 10 miles west of Champaign-Urbana, Lake of the Woods Park is easily accessible from Interstate 74, exit #174 or #172. It also features a swim beach, fishing, boating, boat rentals, hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, sledding, the HI-Tower bell carillon and observation area, building rentals and educational programs.
The Early American Museum has an extensive collection interpreting 19th- and early 20th-century life in east-central Illinois. Two floors of exhibits present architecture, agriculture, trades and occupations, decorative arts, and childhood and domestic life of the time. The Discovery Room offers hands-on opportunities for children, and educational programs are offered for all ages throughout the year.
Located just off State Route 47 is the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens, which boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse flora in east-central Illinois. Many a couple have exchanged their wedding vows in this colorful setting. Its All-America Selections Display Garden features the newest and best bedding plants and vegetables.
A favorite location for golfers is the Hartwell C. Howard Lake of the Woods Golf Course, which was designed by Robert Bruce Harris. Besides the award-winning 18-hole regulation course, there is a 9-hole Par 3 course and a practice range. These courses were designed with every age and ability level in mind.
Recently added to Lake of the Woods is a 3.3-mile bike/pedestrian path that stretches the entire length of the park. It is now officially open, and is receiving considerable use by walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and others. Make sure to check it out on your next visit!
One of the most impressive and recognizable facilities within the park is the HI-Tower. For three decades now, visitors from miles around have come to admire and ascend the six-story structure, which was named after the founder of the Forest Preserve District, the late H.I. Gelvin. A popular feature of the tower is the bell carillon, which is programmed to play music throughout the day. Children, especially, find the HI-Tower captivating and consider it a "must" for any visit to Lake of the Woods.

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Penfield, Illinois

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve contains 1,530 acres of land composed of old hardwood timber, reforested lowlands and grassy meadows. The lands of Middle Fork were set aside for the promotion and protection of wildlife as well as recreation. Rich in hiking and nature trails, the Middle Fork contains one of the region's premier Waterfowl Management Areas, and it is also home to a favorite camping area, the Harry L. Swartz Campground.
This site, located in the northeast corner of Champaign County, offers a swim beach, fishing, hiking, boat rentals, cross-country skiing, picnicking, building rentals and educational programs. It is an extensive, diversely wooded area. About four miles of the Middle Fork River run along the preserve. The site includes three ponds: Willow Pond (4 acres); Cypress Pond (2.7 acres) and Emerald Pond (3.2 acres).
The Harry L. Swartz Campground consists of 65 campsites, suitable for all types of camping including group camping. Fifty-three of the sites have electricity. Each campsite is a quiet retreat shaded by large oak, hickory and hackberry trees. Wildflowers grow in abundance. All sites are close to the swim beach and other facilities. Campsites are available per night on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are allowed for stays of at least three consecutive nights. For more information on the campground, please call 217/595-5692 or 217/595-5432.
This area also contains one of the region's premier Waterfowl Management Areas. More than 130 acres of prime nesting habitat for migratory waterfowl are located here. An easily accessible viewing area allows visitors the opportunity to observe a wetland teeming with life. Please note, however, that visitors are not able to enter the wetland area itself between March and June in order to allow waterfowl to nest.

Salt Fork River Forest Preserve
Homer, Illinois

Salt Fork River Forest Preserve provides approximately 800 acres set aside for the purpose of recreation and protection of wildlife and natural habitat surrounding Homer Lake. The county highway bordering the north end of the preserve was the horse trail Abraham Lincoln traveled when he served on the judicial circuit.
From sledding when the snow falls to fishing and boating in the summer months, Salt Fork is a beautiful setting for visitors to get away for some relaxation. Trails abound for hiking, nature study and bird-watching, and picnicking areas are plentiful.
Two of our recently completed grant projects are located at Salt Fork. A $50,000 grant, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, funded in its entirety improvements on an existing canoe and boat access located on the northwest shore of Homer Lake. This grant allowed the District to replace the boat ramp, pave the access road and parking lot, install lighting and construct a small open-air shelter with restrooms.
Another federally-funded grant awarded to the District, a $177,500 grant administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, financed half the cost of a new Outdoor Recreation/Visitor Center. This beautiful new building that overlooks Homer Lake has quickly become our most sought-after facility. It includes a new boat dock, outdoor amphitheater and a system of interpretive trails.
Salt Fork River Forest Preserve is 15 miles southeast of Champaign-Urbana. From I-74, take the Ogden exit, go south on Route 49 about two miles and follow the signs.


Source: Some of this information has been provided by the Champaign County website.