Kickapoo State Park

Many Activities for the Whole Family

Kickapoo State Recreation Area, a 2,842-acre Illinois state park located in Vermilion County, Illinois, is a place of natural beauty where you can go running or hiking, canoeing, fishing for trout, camping, hunting, or even scuba diving.

Fishing

With 22 lakes and access to the Middle Fork River, Kickapoo is known for the opportunities it provides for water-based outdoor activities. Anglers find excellent fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, and red ear sunfish. Especially popular are the annual fall and spring stockings of rainbow trout, which provide an unusual opportunity for central Illinois anglers to fish for catchable-size trout.

  • There are 12 launching ramps on nine of Kickapoo’s lakes. Long Lake, Clear Lake, and Sportsman’s Lake are the largest.
  • Kayak and canoe rentals are available from Kickapoo Adventures, which is located on Clear Lake. Only electric motors are allowed on the park’s lakes.
  • Kickapoo Adventures shop stocks a selection of bait and tackle for anglers.

Hiking and Running

Kickapoo State Park has a variety of trails offering a chance to exercise while enjoying the awe-inspiring natural scenery.

Trail Descriptions

  • Out and Back Trail: a 6 mile (out and back) running and hiking trail is designed to meet the demands of outdoor hikers or runners.
  • Clear Lake Trail: This 3.1-mile trail follows Clear Lake around to the north out and around to Emerald Pond. The trail includes ‘Spooky Hollow’ and has the steepest terrain of the Kickapoo trails.
  • High Lake Trail: This 1.5-mile trail circles High lake and includes a variety of lake shorelines, pavilions, forests, and hills.  It has a .2 mile ADA accessible walk on the South end of High Lake.
  • Riverview Trail: Take this 2.5-mile stroll along the high banks of the Middle Fork of the Vermillion River.  The trail then loops around Inland Sea.
  • Brian Plawer Nature Trail: a .9 mile trail starting at the Cypress day-use area.

Camping

Kickapoo has two major campgrounds for tent and trailer camping, with 184 sites. Over 100 of the sites have electrical hookups.  Two shower buildings are available to all campers and a sanitary dump station is available.  Reservations for the main campground are available from May 1st to Oct 31st at ExploreMoreIL and any camping outside of this timeframe will be on a first come first serve basis.

Hunting

More than 1,000 acres including forests, grasslands, edge, and cropland are available for the use of hunters each fall. Kickapoo hunters may harvest white-tailed deer (both firearm and archery), squirrel, dove, woodcock, quail, cock pheasant, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum.
For more information on Kickapoo State Park, please visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Kickapoo State Recreation Area named Illinois’ top park by OutsideOnline.Com

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The Pantagraph: Kickapoo state park offers a variety of activities

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Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area

The area consists of 2,700 acres of grass, forest, and cropland, and provides excellent wildlife habitat. There are 35 miles of marked scenic equestrian, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling trails in the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area. The area, commonly referred to as ‘horse camp, has Class C, D, and equestrian camping facilities. For further information on the Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area, click here.

Kennekuk County Park

Kennekuk County Park is a 3,000-acre park on the north edge of Kickapoo State Park. It includes Lake Mingo, a 170-acre lake, as well as several small ponds within the park. The park has a well-developed environmental education center and the Bunker Hill Historic Area, a collection of well-preserved buildings available to tour. The park also has a boat ramp, restroom facilities, and picnic areas. For further information on Kennekuk County Park, click here.