kickapoo state recreation area

I went with a group of friends from school to camp overnight during the school year. We are all bio majors so it was assumed we would enjoy some nature before finals absorbed our lives. We intended to do some hiking, enjoy the scenery, and cook over an open flame.Perhaps it was because we decided to go during April and not during a warmer month when the leaves had fully opened, but the views were not particularly spectacular. Not that you can get very many spectacular views in the northern half of Illinois. However, for what the landscape had to offer this recreation area had acceptable hiking and one particularly lovely view from atop a cliff.As it's a recreation area, there are many other activities this park has to offer. Unfortunately we did not have the time, nor the inclination, to search out each and every one. Not to mention most cost extra to utilize and as poor college students we couldn't afford it. I'm sure if you were so inclined you could find a lot more to do than we did in this place as we saw children's parks and a boat launch with boaters and their toys.Overall the experience was average. It was your typical forest, with some lakes, and a campground with a pit for fire. Nothing spectacular. I will say this, we were highly entertained by the large trailer across the campground site that got between ten and fifteen different visitors between 10pm and 4am that night. Not sure what they were up to, but apparently it's hoppin' at night at that campground.

This was our first visit to Kickapoo SP and it will not be our last. There are many small lakes scattered throughout the park around which activities abound. Be sure to check out the park website before your trip to get an idea as to how you'd like to spend your time---boating? hiking? biking? We decided on what we mistakenly thought was a loop trail around High Lake. The trail was not only not a loop but not well marked so we strayed off of it several times. No problem, it was a lovely day for a walk in the colorful woods and we eventually found our way back to the car. I can only speak for Kickapoo as a family friendly day trip destination and it certainly filled the bill for us.

I paid money to rent "Ironwood" Pavilion for our annual reunion which I have done for 10 years now. Same Place each year. This year there was NO running water for the kids or adults to wash hands, faces etc. NO trash cans anywhere. There was a kids play area & I know they DO NOT sanitized it daily. Camping is GREAT here but PICNIC areas SUCK !!! Maybe Kennekuk Cove next year. They have running water & trash cans for us picnickers !!

We visited this park two weeks ago. One person went mountain biking and really enjoyed this highly rated trail. We didn't get there until around 2PM and saw the nice landing area with kayaks and tubing. At the time and not stopping to check we didn't see any of the pontoons. Really nice drive all around the area with picnics spots which seemed nicely spaced. Almost all had restrooms BUT they weren't typical not so clean (other IL state parks are more well kept). Really mosquito infested so bring on repellent! The highlight of the day for us wanting to enjoy a bit of Mother Nature was seeing a few turkeys meanadering along the way, a small family of deer that calmly strolled thru a nearby field as we sat eating sandwiches. Guess they lingered looking and wondering what we were doing there! We saw a turtle resting on a log which my grandson loved. Then taking wonderful pictures of wild flowers and dragonflies. This park is lacking on swings and more playground for children along with trying to do better with keeping gunk out of many ponds and possibly spraying more for those mosquitoes. GREAT day which overall we totally recommend. This is also about 25 mi from Danville which time didn't allow for us to visit.

I went to basically canoe down the Middlefork. The weather however didn't cooperate. However I found great facilities. I loved canoeing the lakes. And the Catfish Dinner at the Cafe was delicious.

My daughter and I have our own Kayaks and only needed shuttle service when we went. The guys were so nice and helpful that I would not hesitate on sending someone there. The water level was at a 3 when we went and was perfect. Did not have to get out once unless we wanted to stop on sandbars. Live close by and will use their shuttle service more frequently. Such a beautiful area to enjoy for the day. Has rained so much the last few days the water level is too high or we would be their right now. :) Thanks for the great experience.

I've been to Kickapoo several times in the past few years. There are many trails to walk, boating access points, camping, etc. It is a great place to take children and young adults. There is a nature trail a little over seven miles long (take water). Walked this trail before between spring and summer wear bug spray(ticks)! Very beautiful and open year round. It's not in Champaign, but easy to get to by going East on I74.

This is another of our area's favorite fall destinations. So many beautiful trails and ponds to explore. We always see deer here along with other wildlife. It's a peaceful forest world away from all of the area farmland.

Well, it is not really mine, but..My first memory of being at Kickapoo I was a small boy in the early 1960's. We were at a family gathering just north of the pavilion. During that day, my father led me for a short walk in the woods. We stopped to what seems to me as the top of a cliff. Below us was the largest crane I had ever saw scoping up dirt and dumping the dirt into the largest dump truck I ever saw. What I saw then was strip mining at what then was the edge of the park. I tell you this because strip mining built the foundation of what became Kickapoo. And when the strip miners left in the late 1960's', mother nature took over and in the last 50 years and turned the barren land into green space full of trees.Outside of Kickapoo the land of East Central Illinois is mainly flat and you can see for miles, until the corn gets too tall. Inside, the park is full of tall hills and valleys. There are several meadows and ponds everywhere. Kickapoo is large enough to hold large company picnics and you still find a quite spot to get away from everything at the same time.At Kickapoo Landing you can get something to eat and sit out on the dock and listen to local bands on Friday nights during the summer. You can also rent canoes and paddle Clear Lake or take a bus to Kinny's Ford and paddle down the Middle Fork Vermilion back to Kickapoo.For fishing there are ponds all through the park. There are benches around the ponds or you can find your on secret spot. You can also bring your bass boat, but electric motors only.There are 2 camp grounds. There is a Brain Plawer, a large one for RV's with a seasonal care taker. There is also Red Ear campground for tents next to a pond.Hiking trails are through out the park. There is also a 6.5 mile mountain bike trail. if you like horses there is Thunder Wolf Trail Rides. I have been coming to Kickapoo for over 50 years now. For me it is a short drive to get away from the everyday world.

We have camped here multiple times in our 22 ft towable. The campground is quiet and almost always has available sites. Most are shaded and have electricity, picnic table and fire ring. There are multiple hiking trails - maps aren't updated but relatively easy to find your way. We take kayaks and mountain bikes. Their are good bike trails that aren't heavily used. We use the kayaks on the multiple lakes and the Middlefork of the Vermilion River. The river is high due to the rains and the 13 mile paddle is fun.

my boyfriend and I stayed here over a Friday to Sunday.Friday was really nice even though the campsites are somewhat on top of each other there wasn't a lot of people there. Saturday night wasn't as great because a boyscout troop was being surprisingly loud and obnoxious and the DNR prescence was lacking that night. The hiking was wonderful and there are many spots to fish although we weren't really catching anything. the raccoons are surprisingly brave and the mosquitoes were bad but overall a really nice trip. We do look forward to going back.

Nice park that can be easily found just off highway 74 on the border of Illinois and Indiana. Our visit this Saturday was for riding a bike, picnic and fishing. The bike ride we took was short as the temperature didn't get above about 45 for the day and the wind made it feel colder. Picnic was great next to one of the ponds and we will return soon to rent a canoe and explore while fishing. I did drown a worm a few times with no luck and then we headed home. We will return to float and fish another day.

See the DNR's map - though somewhat outdated:http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/sitemaps/kickapoo.gifWe started on Trail # 6 - Riverview- beautiful, easy walk, some rolling terrain, then walked from the boat ramp around the concession stand to Trail # 3-Clear Lake, make sure you take the part that is right next to the water, another trail runs parallel to the road for part - great views! beautiful!!, this trail had 2 substantially steep parts - not too strenuous though.Trail # 5 & #7 are not maintained and no longer navigable. Trail # 4 near the Pavilion Shelter is nice, not too long, some steep parts, and there is more trail that is not on the map.We really wanted to walk the Out & Back trail, but it was closed for Deer Hunting all weekend - and another time in December. If it's hunting season - call to make sure.We drove quite a ways to spend the day here, but it was so worthwhile!!

As I drive through Kickapoo almost once a week if not more, I marvel at the beauty and offerings. From camping to the Landing - where there is good food and summer music as well as canoe rental - this is a great family destination. The deer are plentiful in Kickapoo, so while you must mind the drive, it is wonderful to experience them so close.

My family loves camping, kayaking, and mountain-biking (yes, you read correctly - mountain-biking in east-central Illinois)