Campground Details - Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, IL - ReserveAmerica

Description

Stephen A. Forbes State Park is 3100 acres of oak hickory forest surrounding a 585 acre lake. Fishing , Swimming, Boating, Camping , Picnicking, Hiking, and Hunting are all popular activities . Oak Ridge Campground is a great place for an overnight stay, There are 115 shaded campsites with electricity, water and a shower building. Two sets of stairways and boat docks provide access to the lake for campers. A 120 foot floating walkway connects the campground with the marina area as well. One Cabin is also availble with bunk beds, electricity, air conditioning, heat, table and grill, and can sleep up to six. For those preferring a more secluded spot, 10 walk-in tent sites are available. The 585 acre lake provides ample opportunities to the sport fisherman and boater. Two boat ramps provide easy access to the main lake. There is no horsepower limit, but various sections of the lake are marked by bouys for water skiningand no wake speed. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, walleye/sauger, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish A beautiful 200 foot sand beach is located at Rocky Point , where vistors can enjoy swimming or picnicking at the tables provided there. There is a $1.00 per person charge per day and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the beach area There are four established trails for hiking enthusiasts. The Oak Ridge Trail is a 2.5 miles located in the campground. The Marlow Pond Trail, and the Henneman Tail, which guides the hikers to an early settlement cementary are one half mile long. A 15 mile horse trail circles the lake and takes the equestrian through a panorama of natural beauty. In addition, an equestrian campground with 21 electrical sites is located one mile east of Omega The trail and campground is closed between Nov 1 and May1. A beautiful, full service restaurant, that over looks the lake is open from April 1 to Nov 1and provides a wide range of menu items. Bait, tackle,boat gas, and convenience items are also available. Overnight docking of boats are availble by the season or daily basis. More than 2000 acres of land are available for hunting. Deer hunting is the most popular, with bow only. Spring turkey is also available by special permit. Brushy draws and fence rows furnish excellent habitat for quail and rabbit. Heavily wooded areas provide verry good squirrel hunting. Hunting is permitted with shotgun or bow only..

Services & Amenities:

Within Facility
Area attraction BATHHOUSE BOAT RAMP Bicycling Bird Watching Boating Boating, Canoeing Boating, Kayaking Boating, Pedal Cabins Campground Host Camping, Equestrian Camping, Improved Site Camping, Primitive Canoeing Dining Dock, Boat Docks, Fishing/Crabbing Dump Station, Camper Fire Rings Fish Cleaning Station Fishing Fishing, Park Lake Fishing, Pier Fishing, Reservoir Fuel, Boats Geological Formations Grills Hiking Hiking - Difficult Hiking - Moderate Hiking Trail Horseback Riding Horseshoe Pits Horseshoes Hunting Information/Contact Station Interpretive Center Interpretive Exhibit/Display Interpretive Trail Jet Skiing Jogging/Running Kiosk Lodging, Cabins Maintenance, Facility Marina Moorage Musical Performances Nature Center	Nature Study Newspapers Ocean/Beach Access Office/Ranger Station PIER, FISHING Paddle Boat Rentals Paddle Boating Park Lake Parking Pay Telephone Photography Picnic Area Picnic Pavilion Picnic Shelter Picnic Tables Picnicking Playground Propane Recycling Station Rentals, Boat, Motorized Rentals, Boat, Pedal Restaurant Restrooms Retail, Bait & Tackle Retail, Drinks Retail, Firewood Retail, Ice Retail, Seasonal Concessions Retail, Snacks Retail, Store/Gift Shop Retail, Supplies SCENIC DRIVING ROUTES SWIMMING - PARK LAKE SWIMMING, RESERVOIR Shelters Sightseeing Stargazing Trails, Easy Hiking/Walking Trails, Equestrian Trails, Moderate Hiking Viewing Platform/Overlook Volleyball Volleyball Net Walking Water Access, Park Lake Water Skiing Water, Drinking Wildflower Viewing Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
Archery Ball Field Cash Machine/Atm Church Emergency Services First Aid Supplies Fuel, Vehicles Grocery Store	Group/Community Facility Maintenance, Boat Maintenance, RV/Camper Maintenance, Vehicle Orchard/Produce Farm Seasonal Festivals Town Winery Tours
Greater Than 10 Miles
Admin Service, Copying Admin Service, Faxing Airport Antiquing Car Rentals Catering Golf Golfing HISTORIC STRUCTURE/FEATURE	Historic Sites Hospital Kennel Laundry Mall Medical Clinic Shopping Swimming - Pool Tennis

Alerts and Important Information

Shelter Reservations are non-refundable unless the area is closed by the Department, in this circumstance the Site Manager will contact you prior to your reservation date to cancel and issue your refund.

Due to staff cut backs, there are no set office hours. * A responsible adult (18 years of age or older) from the camping party must register for the party and thereby acknowledge compliance with the rules and regulations of the park for the party. * At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors. * Special camping rate reductions apply to Illinois residents only. * Group size and number of vehicles cannot exceed the established maximums. * The maximum length of camping stay from May 1 through September 30 is 14 nights in any 30 day period, except on LT campsites which allow campers to stay 30 nights within a 45 day period. * Responsible use of alcohol is permitted in the park and campground, with the exceptions of Rocky Point Beach Area, where all alchohol is prohibited * All pets must be on a leash. Pet owners are responsible for their animal's waste and must dispose of it properly. * All visitors are required to leave the park at or before 10:00PM. * Groups of 25 or more are required to register in advance with the park office * We hope you enjoy your stay or event. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
38.72778, -88.76639
38°43'40"N, 88°45'59"W

Stephen A. Forbes State Park is located 15 miles North East of Salem Illinois. Coming form the North or South, get off interstate 57 at the 116 exit. There are signs on the interstate. Continue East through Salem for 10 miles, on US Rt 50,turn North on the Omega Road, and continue 7 miles to the entrance of the park. Follow signs in the park to your destination. Traveling from the West or East use US Rt 50 and turn North on the Omega Road. There are signs on US 50 for the park.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area
6924 OMEGA ROAD
KINMUNDY IL 62854

Phone Number:

Information: (618)547-3732

Special Events:

The events listed here are not intended to be an all inclusive list. Please contact the park for further details.

Pioneer Village is located 7 miles from Forbes State Park in Kinmundy, IL . During the last two weekends in Sept and the Columbus Day weekend in Oct., the village of old historic log cabins are open and are manned by staff in period dress. Period crafts and tools are made and are on display and sold along with snacks, food and drink. from Sep 24 2010 to Oct 16 2010

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