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Johnson Sauk Trail State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
From cross-country skiing in the winter to a lazy picnic in the summer, from a fishing trip in the spring to exploring fields of wildflowers amidst the fall colors of the giant oaks, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park truly is a park for all seasons.
Located on a glacial moraine that forms the beautiful, rolling hills of Henry County in north-central Illinois, the park sits astride a trail that led Native Americans from Lake Michigan to the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock rivers.
Located off Illinois Route 78, Johnson-Sauk Trail is 6 miles south of Interstate 80 and 5 miles north of Kewanee. Originally known as the Henry County Conservation Area - local newspaper invited the public to suggest names when the conservation area was going to be changed to a state park. Two names were popular with the public. One would name the park after State Senator Frank P. Johnson - tireless worker on behalf of the park, while the second suggested Sauk Trail as a fitting name, for the Indian tribes most associated with the park when Europeans began settling the area.
The two most popular choices were combined to form the parks official name. Today, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park features 1,365 acres of recreation opportunities.
Nature of the Area
Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park features a varied terrain, with rolling hills covered with a mix of hardwoods and pines in the south half of the park and
a flatter landscape with wildlife plantings and grasslands making up the northern half of the park.
The parks centerpiece is a 58-acre lake that offers both fishing and boating -s well as nearly two and a half miles of shoreline to explore.
The lake was one of a series of lakes considered for Illinois in 1944. After studying a number of sites, 369 acres of land known as Whitings Woods were purchased. Actual construction of the lake didnt begin until 1949 and
was halted soon after when engineers encountered unfavorable soil conditions. Work didnt get underway again until the summer of 1955 -fter advanced methods of dam construction were developed.
The park also has Sauk Trail Pond - scenic 3-acre pond - the parks round barn, that provides fishing opportunities in a more restful setting.
From spring through fall, visitors will find a wide array of both woodland and prairie wildflowers, including bluebells, Dutchmans breeches, trillium, prairie anemone, yarrow, field daisies, vervain and goldenrod.
While fewer than 1,000 natural areas exist in Illinois, one of them is located in Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park. The area contains a population of skunk cabbage - early bloomer that sometimes blossoms in the snow -- rare for this part of the state.
White-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrel, opossum and rabbits are among the myriad wildlife found in the park, while birders have ample opportunities to catch sight of chickadees, nuthatches, goldfinches and hundreds of other avian visitors.
Camping
Trails
Picnicking
Boating
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing
The 58-acre lake has a maximum depth of 21 feet and features excellent populations of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and bullhead. Numerous fish cribs and attractors have been put into the lake to enhance fishing. In addition, muskie and northern pike have been added to the lake in recent years, providing visitors with an exciting, new fishing opportunity. Fishing is permitted by boat (electric trolling motor only) or from fishing piers and along the shoreline.
Hunting
Times have changed since market hunters poured into the area to take advantage of the wildlife hunting opportunities. Game populations might not be as large as they were a century ago, but hunting still is a popular activity at the park. Johnson-Sauk Trail is one of the Department of Natural Resources popular controlled hunting sites, with pheasant being released daily during the statewide hunting season (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). A fee is charged. The park also allows hunters to pursue deer with a bow and arrow, plus dove and squirrel with shotgun only. Spring Turkey hunting is by permit only.
History of the Area
Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park is located in a part of Illinois that was a vast shallow sea millions of years ago. Two glaciers covered this part of Illinois, the last being the Wisconsinian Glacier, which shaped the land as we know it today.
The state park is located on the southern edge of what once was the Great Willow Swamp - marsh area covering the low-lying areas between the Mississippi, Rock and Green rivers and
is believed to have contained one of the most concentrated and varied wildlife populations in the central part of North America.
Attracting large numbers of both market and sport hunters, the area was considered a sportsmans paradise. The marsh eventually was drained for agricultural purposes.
The abundance of wild game and fur-bearing animals was what attracted Indians -- the areas first inhabitants -- to this part of Illinois. Although mound-building tribes were the first Native Americans to settle this part of the state, tribes of Sauk, Fox, Winnebago, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Kaskaskia, Peoria and Piankashaw Indians later established villages here.
Winnebago Indians are known to have used the Sauk Trail and to have camped at or - the state park regularly. The Sauk tribe moved from Wisconsin to the confluence of the Rock and Mississippi rivers and joined the Fox Indians to form a confederation. These tribes sent hunting parties to this part of the marsh frequently.
French trappers and traders were the first Europeans to pass through this area. The land encompassing Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park was part of the Great Northwest Territory claimed by France. Following the French and Indian War, the land was ceded to Great Britain in 1765, becoming part of the colony of Virginia. The land later was part of the Northwest Territory and Illinois Territory before Illinois gained statehood.
More Info
the silo The Ryan barn in Annawan Twp., Henry County, IL is located at the Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park between Kewannee and Annawan off Route 78. It was constructed by Dr. Laurence Ryan for his
Fishing Playgrounds Hiking Ryans Round Barn UPDATE A drawing for the trapping permit at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park will be held on Oct. 10th at 900 p.m. at the site office. Participants
Deere PlanetariumJohn Logan MuseumJohn Wood Community CollegeJohnson ParkJohnsonSauk Trail State ParkJoliet, IllinoisDay TripJoliet Iron Works Historic SiteJoliet, Louis
are interwoven by the mile-long pleasure drive through the course and adjacent park land. Johnson Sauk Trail State Park RR3, Kewanee Ph (309) 853-5589 A 51 acre lake that promotes fishing, hunting
Illinois General Assembly by the late Frank Preston Johnson of Kewanee, for whom Johnson Sauk Trail State Park is named. Johnson was a former Redpath manager and was a Star Courier columnist for
...munity and Business information for the northern Illinois area
PO Box 272 / Morris, IL 60450 / (815) 942-0796 Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park / Miles10 / Henry County Snowmobilers may use designated
Area Attractions
Ryans Round Barn
One of the most unique features of Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park is the large, round barn built in 1910 and located - the park entrance. One of the largest round barns in the country, the architectural marvel stands more than 80 feet high and is 85 feet in diameter.The barn has a full-size16-foot wide silo inside. Round barns originally were built by religious groups because they "left no corners in which the devil could hide." Today, the barn is available to be toured every other Saturday afternoon, May through October by Friends of Johnsons Park Foundation. For more information and barn tour schedule, contact the park office.
Johnson Sauk Trail State Park