Big River State Forest - Illinois State Park

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Big River State Forest

State Park Information

State Park Overview

Nature of the Area
Big River State Forest is a remnant of a vast prairie woodland border area that once covered much of Illinois. Among its vegetation are two endangered plantspenstemon, commonly known as bearded tongue and Patterson?s bindweed, which N.H. Patterson documented in the forest in 1873 for the first time anywhere.

Some of the common plants found in the prairie are big and little bluestem, Indian grass, June grass, grama grass, flower-of-an-hour, cottonweed, prairie coneflower, pale prairie coneflower, prairie bush clover, purple prairie clover and blazing star. Also found are western sunflower, kittentail, lead plant, prickly pear cactus, flowering spurge -romatic sumac, false dragonhead, Sullivan?s milkweed, horsemint, goat?s-rue and hoary puccoon.

Camping

Picnicking

Fishing and Hunting

History of the Area

More Info

view. Pioneers & Indians used it as a look-out. Big River State Forest10 mi north of IL Rt 164 on Keithsburg Rd. Visit the
Chuck Shinkle. Located in Big River State Forest the trail and
DNR
Parks & Recreation Publications Research/Surveys State Museums Search DNR Illinois [IL Search Tips] Big River State Forest Northwest Region RR 1, Box 118 Keithsburg, IL 61442 309.374.2496 E

and limited fishing. PO. Box 181, Prophetstown 61277.(815) 537-2270 or 537-2926. Big River State Forest Encompassing more than 3,000 acres along the Mississippi River, Big River State Forest is a
This page is for the state of Illinois and is a subpage of Horse Mule Trail Guide USA.
Click Here E-mail 34 Ranch Click Here Big River State Forest Keithsburg Trails are old fire lanes, 40 miles

Pioneers and Indians used it as a look-out. Big River State ForestTen miles north of IL Route 164 on Keithsburg Road. Visit the
Shinkle. Located in Big River State Forest, the trail and

state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/delabar.htm To The Top Big River State Forest The Big River State Forest is located 6 miles north
For more information Big River State Forest RR1 Keithsburg, IL

For visitors coming from the south, east and west, BIG RIVER can be reached from Highway 164. The forest is well signed on Highway 164. Go north on the Oquawka-Keithsburg blacktop road for 9 miles. The office is located on the right.For visitors coming from the north, take Highway 17 to Keithsburg. The forest is well signed on Highway 17. Turn left at Main Street and go to the next 4-way stop. Turn right (going south) and go 4 miles on the Oquawka-Keithsburg blacktop. The office is located on the left side of the road.

For visitors coming from the south, west and east, DELABAR PARK can be reached from Highway 164. The park is well signed on Highway 164. Go north 2 miles on the Oquawka-Keithsburg blacktop road. The park entrance is located on the left.If coming from the north, take Highway 17 south to Keithsburg. Turn left at Main Street going east to the first 4-way stop. Turn right (going south) and go 10 miles. The park entrance is located on the right.

For visitors coming from the south, east and the west, HENDERSON COUNTY CONSERVATION AREA can be reached from Highway 34. The site is well signed on Highway 34. Turn 1 mile west of junction 164 and 34(north) on a gravel road and go 1 mile. The entrance is on the left side.For visitors coming from the north, take Highway 164 south to Gladstone. Continue south on 164 to junction 164 and 34. Turn right and go west 1 mile. Then turn right (north) on gravel road and go 1 mile and the park entrance is on the left.