National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Moraine View State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
With fully developed facilities for picnicking, camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, horseback riding and hunting, the 1,687-acre Moraine View State Recreation Area, with its 158-acre lake, is a beautiful, convenient and accessible locale for relaxation and recreation.
When the glaciers of the last Ice Age moved through central Illinois 15,000 years ago, they pushed massive amounts of rock and earth before them, leaving in their wake long and expansive ridges that ripple across the landscape. These irregular crests are called moraines and
on their gentle swells and their broad valleys are scattered groves of white oak, red oak, black walnut, maple, hickory -sh and elm.
One of the four largest of these moraines in Illinois -- the Bloomington Moraine -- stretches across the state from Elgin to the Illinois River at Peoria east to Saybrook. In the middle of this sprawling feature, Moraine View State Recreation Area -- just minutes east of Bloomington/Normal off I-74 -- provides an ideal opportunity to enjoy both the tranquil natural beauty of Midwestern woodland and refreshing outdoor activity.
Nature of the Area
Camping
For longer stays, there are 137 Class A trailer campsites with water, electricity and a sanitary station. Sixty-one sites can now be reserved in Gander Bay campground. A boat launch and dock is also situated in this area. Alcohol is prohibited in all campgrounds. Reservations are accepted.
Catfish Bay camp area and Tall Timber backpack trail provide 32 primitive class D sites. Ol Orchard group camp has two sites able to accommodate 125 people. Timber Ridge group camp has 3 sites. Timberline Ridge horse camp has 30 Class "A" campsites complete with water, electricity and
hitching racks.
A concession stand, located - the boat dock and launch, offers dock and boat rental, fishing tackle, bait, refreshments and various supplies. A restaurant, seating 60, serves breakfast and lunch daily. For information, call (309) 724-8295.
Trails
Boating
Swimming
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing
The lake is regularly stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, bullhead, crappie, channel catfish, walleye, yellow perch and northern pike. Whether from the five miles of shoreline or off the handicapped-accessible fishing pier, the angling is always good.
Hunting
Thirteen hundred acres of this are open to public hunting in season. Moraine View is one of eight sites in Illinois which has nine weeks of controlled pheasant hunting. Please consult the park office for specific information concerning hunting and opening dates for various species.
History of the Area
When early Europeans first arrived in this area, they found the Kickapoo and Potawatomi Indian tribes peacefully sharing the countryside. Following the War of 1812, the tribes signed a treaty with the Europeans enabling them to continue to live on the land and take game until white settlers moved in. In 1830 there were 630 Kickapoo living in a village in "Old Town Timber" south of Ellsworth.
The scattered groves of timber along the streams provided these early settlers with shelter from the bitter winds of winter, building materials, fuel and shade. The wet, sometimes marshy, prairie lands, though tough and difficult to turn with their primitive implements, were gradually drained or cleared and
small farms sprang up everywhere, taking advantage of the rich fertile soils left by the glacial retreat.
By the middle of the 20th century, it became apparent that the heavily farmed countryside -- situated as it was in an area whose topography and terrain precluded many good lake sites -- would require artificial manipulation to provide and maintain a water-based recreation area for its steadily increasing population.
In 1957, preliminary surveys were made and
in 1959 the State of Illinois purchased 760 acres in Dawson Township. Clearing contracts were awarded in 1960 and
by July of 1962 construction had begun on a dam on the North Fork tributary of Salt Creek between U.S.150 and Illinois Route 9. The resulting lake, called Dawson Lake after the families of early settlers, was opened for fishing in 1963.
Originally known as the McLean County Conservation Area -dditional acquisitions have expanded the area to its present 1,687 acres and
in 1975 it was designated as Moraine View State Recreation Area. Development of full recreational facilities has since made this one of the states sterling examples of how economic and social necessity also can provide opportunities for conservation and recreation.
More Info
A Goose Family at Moraine View State Park View Images [ normal | full ][photo properties] Gallery Heyum Family Selected Photos
A Goose Family at Moraine View State Park& 17 (of 17) [add
...ld Trip Photos Moraine View State Park GeoExplorer teachers from Normal, Illinois organized a sixth grade field trip to Moraine View State Park on a beautiful September day. The teachers set
Woods State Park Macon f,g,h,m,o,w 46 Weldon Springs State Park DeWitt f,g,h,m,o,w 47 Moraine View State Park McLean f,g,h,m,o,w 48 Hidden Springs State Forest Shelby f,g,h,m,o,w 49 Shelbyville
on birding in the county in the - future. Moraine View State Park, Lake Bloomington and
Lake Evergreen are the suggested
entire county -lthough Moraine View State Park is quite good
Information on hotels, resturaunts and
entertainment in town. Camping information for Moraine View State Park. Camping information for Comlara Park. Climbing Links The climbing communities
Moraine View State Park