To install click the Add extension button. That's it.

The source code for the WIKI 2 extension is being checked by specialists of the Mozilla Foundation, Google, and Apple. You could also do it yourself at any point in time.

4,5
Kelly Slayton
Congratulations on this excellent venture… what a great idea!
Alexander Grigorievskiy
I use WIKI 2 every day and almost forgot how the original Wikipedia looks like.
Live Statistics
English Articles
Improved in 24 Hours
Added in 24 Hours
Languages
Recent
Show all languages
What we do. Every page goes through several hundred of perfecting techniques; in live mode. Quite the same Wikipedia. Just better.
.
Leo
Newton
Brights
Milds

Kickapoo State Recreation Area

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kickapoo State Recreation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Map of the U.S. state of Illinois showing the location of Kickapoo State Recreation Area
Kickapoo State Recreation Area (the United States)
LocationVermilion County, Illinois, USA
Nearest cityOakwood, Illinois
Coordinates40°07′00″N 87°44′09″W / 40.11667°N 87.73583°W / 40.11667; -87.73583
Area2,842 acres (1,150 ha)
Established1939
Governing bodyIllinois Department of Natural Resources

Kickapoo State Recreation Area is an Illinois state park on 2,842 acres (1,150 ha) in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. Located between Oakwood, Illinois and Danville, Illinois, this park is easily accessible through route I-74. It is 28 miles (45 km) away from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and 95 miles (153 km) from Indianapolis. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the name Kickapoo originated from the Kickapoo village that once existed near the junction of the Salt Fork and Middle Fork branches of the Vermilion River. After Europeans settled in the area and displaced the Native Americans, the Europeans began to dig wells to harvest salt from salt springs, called salines.[1] In the early 20th century the land was then strip-mined for coal. Kickapoo State Park was the first park in the United States to be located on strip-mined land.[2] The state of Illinois purchased the Kickapoo State Park Area in 1939 with donation money from Danville residents and the land has since recovered from the extraction of these resources.[1]

Today, Kickapoo State Park has 221 acres (89 ha) of ponds and lakes with nearly 35 miles (56 km) of hiking trails for many types of recreational activities including camping, canoeing, hunting, mountain biking, and fishing.[1] In the winter season, ice fishing and cross-country skiing are popular pastimes for visitors to the park. Campsites are available year-round with RV and electric hookups available. There are 22 deep water ponds which are accessible to electric motor boats, canoes, and kayaks. Visitors to the park may rent a canoe or kayak to paddle down the Vermilion River, which runs through the center Kickapoo State Park. Scuba diving is also allowed within the park.[1]

YouTube Encyclopedic

  • 1/3
    Views:
    2 711
    512
    16 472
  • Illinois Adventure #1404 "Kickapoo State Park"
  • Kickapoo State Recreation Area: Mountain Bike Trails
  • Kickapoo Cavern State Park -Texas Parks and Wildlife [Official]

Transcription

JUST NORTH OF DANVILLE IN OAKWOOD IS A PLACE THAT HAS BEEN RECLAIMED BY BOTH DANVILLE IN OAKWOOD IS A PLACE THAT HAS BEEN RECLAIMED BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND NATURE. THAT HAS BEEN RECLAIMED BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND NATURE. WHAT WAS ONCE A STRIP MINE IS THE PUBLIC AND NATURE. WHAT WAS ONCE A STRIP MINE IS NOW KICKAPOO STATE PARK. RIGHT NOW WE ARE HERE AT POND SIX. THIS IS -- WE HAVE A REAL GOOD SIX. THIS IS -- WE HAVE A REAL GOOD EXAMPLE OF SLOW WALL MINING. THIS IS -- WE HAVE A REAL GOOD EXAMPLE OF SLOW WALL MINING. WE HAVE RECLAIMED SLOPE WALL EXAMPLE OF SLOW WALL MINING. WE HAVE RECLAIMED SLOPE WALL MINE AT POND SIX YOU CAN LOOK WE HAVE RECLAIMED SLOPE WALL MINE AT POND SIX YOU CAN LOOK AT. MINE AT POND SIX YOU CAN LOOK AT. THERE IS A HISTORY OF IT. AT. THERE IS A HISTORY OF IT. WE HAVE TOOL COAL CARS THAT CAME THERE IS A HISTORY OF IT. WE HAVE TOOL COAL CARS THAT CAME OUT OF THE MINE BEING WE HAVE TOOL COAL CARS THAT CAME OUT OF THE MINE BEING RECONDITIONED. OUT OF THE MINE BEING RECONDITIONED. THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST SHAFT RECONDITIONED. THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST SHAFT MINES IN THIS AREA THAT WAS THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST SHAFT MINES IN THIS AREA THAT WAS OPERATING. THE PARK WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 1938. IT IS OLD STRIP MINE COAL PURCHASED IN 1938. IT IS OLD STRIP MINE COAL COUNTRY. IT IS OLD STRIP MINE COAL COUNTRY. IT IS THE OLDEST PARK THAT IS COUNTRY. IT IS THE OLDEST PARK THAT IS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN RECLAIMED ON IT IS THE OLDEST PARK THAT IS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN RECLAIMED ON STRIP MINE PROPERTY. KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN RECLAIMED ON STRIP MINE PROPERTY. THERE IS 2,800 ACRES HERE. STRIP MINE PROPERTY. THERE IS 2,800 ACRES HERE. WE HAVE 221 ACRES OF WATER, 22 THERE IS 2,800 ACRES HERE. WE HAVE 221 ACRES OF WATER, 22 SEPARATE PONDS. WE HAVE 221 ACRES OF WATER, 22 SEPARATE PONDS. THE PONDS ARE VERY DEEP. SEPARATE PONDS. THE PONDS ARE VERY DEEP. THEY ARE STOCKED. THE PONDS ARE VERY DEEP. THEY ARE STOCKED. FISHING IS ALWAYS GOOD HERE. THEY ARE STOCKED. FISHING IS ALWAYS GOOD HERE. ONE OF THE HAVE YOU PARKS IN FISHING IS ALWAYS GOOD HERE. ONE OF THE HAVE YOU PARKS IN ILLINOIS THAT ALLOWS SCUBA ONE OF THE HAVE YOU PARKS IN ILLINOIS THAT ALLOWS SCUBA DIVING. ILLINOIS THAT ALLOWS SCUBA DIVING. RIGHT HERE, WE ARE AT DIVING. RIGHT HERE, WE ARE AT SPORTSMEN'S LAKE WHICH IS ONE OF RIGHT HERE, WE ARE AT SPORTSMEN'S LAKE WHICH IS ONE OF THE SCUBA DIVING AREAS. SPORTSMEN'S LAKE WHICH IS ONE OF THE SCUBA DIVING AREAS. THIS IS THE OLD HALL ROAD THAT THE SCUBA DIVING AREAS. THIS IS THE OLD HALL ROAD THAT CAME OUT OF THE STRIP MINE. SO THIS IS THE OLD HALL ROAD THAT CAME OUT OF THE STRIP MINE. SO IT SLOPES VERY SLOWLY OUT TO CAME OUT OF THE STRIP MINE. SO IT SLOPES VERY SLOWLY OUT TO DEEP DID WATER. IT SLOPES VERY SLOWLY OUT TO DEEP DID WATER. WE HAVE MOTORBOAT THAT IS BURIED DEEP DID WATER. WE HAVE MOTORBOAT THAT IS BURIED OUT THERE IN WATER. WE HAVE MOTORBOAT THAT IS BURIED OUT THERE IN WATER. AND WE HAVE A METAL STRUCTURE IN OUT THERE IN WATER. AND WE HAVE A METAL STRUCTURE IN THE VERMILLION COUNTY DIVE TEAMS AND WE HAVE A METAL STRUCTURE IN THE VERMILLION COUNTY DIVE TEAMS UTILIZE AT THAT FOR PRACTICE THE VERMILLION COUNTY DIVE TEAMS UTILIZE AT THAT FOR PRACTICE RESCUE MISSIONS TES AVAILABLE TO UTILIZE AT THAT FOR PRACTICE RESCUE MISSIONS TES AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO SCUBA DIVE. RESCUE MISSIONS TES AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO SCUBA DIVE. THE WATER IS VERY CLEAR SINCE WE PEOPLE WHO SCUBA DIVE. THE WATER IS VERY CLEAR SINCE WE ONLY ALLOW MOTORS. THE WATER IS VERY CLEAR SINCE WE ONLY ALLOW MOTORS. THE VERMILLION RIVER FLOWS ONLY ALLOW MOTORS. THE VERMILLION RIVER FLOWS THROUGH IT, IT IS THE DESIGNATED THE VERMILLION RIVER FLOWS THROUGH IT, IT IS THE DESIGNATED SCENIC RIVER. THROUGH IT, IT IS THE DESIGNATED SCENIC RIVER. THERE ARE 17 MILES PROTECTED IN SCENIC RIVER. THERE ARE 17 MILES PROTECTED IN THE PARK. THERE ARE 17 MILES PROTECTED IN THE PARK. WE HAVE CONCESSION THAT HAS THE PARK. WE HAVE CONCESSION THAT HAS CANOES, AND HE WILL TAKE YOU UP WE HAVE CONCESSION THAT HAS CANOES, AND HE WILL TAKE YOU UP STOLE, PUT YOU ON, YOU CAN GO CANOES, AND HE WILL TAKE YOU UP STOLE, PUT YOU ON, YOU CAN GO HALF DAY OR FULL DAY TRIP. STOLE, PUT YOU ON, YOU CAN GO HALF DAY OR FULL DAY TRIP. THE PARK WE HAVE ABOUT 15 MILES HALF DAY OR FULL DAY TRIP. THE PARK WE HAVE ABOUT 15 MILES OF HIKING TRAILS. THE PARK WE HAVE ABOUT 15 MILES OF HIKING TRAILS. WE HAVE ONE THAT IS 7.6 MILES. OF HIKING TRAILS. WE HAVE ONE THAT IS 7.6 MILES. IT GOES OUT ACROSS THE MIDDLE WE HAVE ONE THAT IS 7.6 MILES. IT GOES OUT ACROSS THE MIDDLE FORK RIVER AND ACROSS BEAUTIFUL IT GOES OUT ACROSS THE MIDDLE FORK RIVER AND ACROSS BEAUTIFUL IRON BRIDGE. FORK RIVER AND ACROSS BEAUTIFUL IRON BRIDGE. WE HAVE TRAILS THAT RUN ALONG IRON BRIDGE. WE HAVE TRAILS THAT RUN ALONG THE RIVER ON RIDGES. WE HAVE WE HAVE TRAILS THAT RUN ALONG THE RIVER ON RIDGES. WE HAVE TRAILS THAT RUN DOWN IN THE THE RIVER ON RIDGES. WE HAVE TRAILS THAT RUN DOWN IN THE LOWLANDS AND THROUGH THE UPLAND TRAILS THAT RUN DOWN IN THE LOWLANDS AND THROUGH THE UPLAND WOODS, HARD TRAILS, EASY TRAILS, LOWLANDS AND THROUGH THE UPLAND WOODS, HARD TRAILS, EASY TRAILS, AND THEY ARE ALL WELL MARKED. WE HAVE ONE OF THE FINEST MOUNTAIN BIKTRAILS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS. MOUNTAIN BIKTRAILS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS. WE HAVE OVER NINE MILES OF ILLINOIS. WE HAVE OVER NINE MILES OF SINGLE TRACK, AND THE KICKAPOO WE HAVE OVER NINE MILES OF SINGLE TRACK, AND THE KICKAPOO MOUNTAIN BIKE MANAGES THOSE SINGLE TRACK, AND THE KICKAPOO MOUNTAIN BIKE MANAGES THOSE TRAILS FOR US AND TAKES ALL THE MOUNTAIN BIKE MANAGES THOSE TRAILS FOR US AND TAKES ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON THEM. TRAILS FOR US AND TAKES ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON THEM. IF YOU ARE A MOUNTAIN BIKERS IT MAINTENANCE ON THEM. IF YOU ARE A MOUNTAIN BIKERS IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO RIDE. IF YOU ARE A MOUNTAIN BIKERS IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO RIDE. OUR MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS ARE IS A GREAT PLACE TO RIDE. OUR MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS ARE RATED MORE AS TECHNICAL THAN OUR MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS ARE RATED MORE AS TECHNICAL THAN DIFFICULT. RATED MORE AS TECHNICAL THAN DIFFICULT. TRAIN IS NOT REAL TOUGH -- DIFFICULT. TRAIN IS NOT REAL TOUGH -- TERRAIN IS UP AND DOWN, TWIST TRAIN IS NOT REAL TOUGH -- TERRAIN IS UP AND DOWN, TWIST AND TURNING, AND GIVES YOU A TERRAIN IS UP AND DOWN, TWIST AND TURNING, AND GIVES YOU A GOOD WORK OUT ON THOSE. AND TURNING, AND GIVES YOU A GOOD WORK OUT ON THOSE. THIS IS THE MEADOW WHERE WE HAVE GOOD WORK OUT ON THOSE. THIS IS THE MEADOW WHERE WE HAVE OUR CROSS-COUNTRY MEETS. THIS IS THE MEADOW WHERE WE HAVE OUR CROSS-COUNTRY MEETS. VERMILLION COUNTY SCHOOLS HOST OUR CROSS-COUNTRY MEETS. VERMILLION COUNTY SCHOOLS HOST MANY, MANY CROSS-COUNTRY MEETS. VERMILLION COUNTY SCHOOLS HOST MANY, MANY CROSS-COUNTRY MEETS. WE HOLD THE CROSS-COUNTRY TRACK MANY, MANY CROSS-COUNTRY MEETS. WE HOLD THE CROSS-COUNTRY TRACK MEET. WE HOLD THE CROSS-COUNTRY TRACK MEET. WE HOLD THE CONFERENCE AND MEET. WE HOLD THE CONFERENCE AND COUPLE OF THE SECTIONALS HAVE WE HOLD THE CONFERENCE AND COUPLE OF THE SECTIONALS HAVE BEEN HELD OUT HERE. COUPLE OF THE SECTIONALS HAVE BEEN HELD OUT HERE. TWO NIGHTS A WEEK WE HAVE BEEN HELD OUT HERE. TWO NIGHTS A WEEK WE HAVE CROSS-COUNTRY TRACK MEETS OUT TWO NIGHTS A WEEK WE HAVE CROSS-COUNTRY TRACK MEETS OUT HERE, AND A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS CROSS-COUNTRY TRACK MEETS OUT HERE, AND A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS COME OUT HERE AND ALSO PRACTICE. HERE, AND A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS COME OUT HERE AND ALSO PRACTICE. HERE AT KICKAPOO WE HAVE 101 COME OUT HERE AND ALSO PRACTICE. HERE AT KICKAPOO WE HAVE 101 ELECTRICAL SITES, 82 HERE AT KICKAPOO WE HAVE 101 ELECTRICAL SITES, 82 NON-ELECTRICAL SITES. ELECTRICAL SITES, 82 NON-ELECTRICAL SITES. MOST OF THEM ARE SEPARATED BY NON-ELECTRICAL SITES. MOST OF THEM ARE SEPARATED BY SOME TREES SO THEY ARE VERY MOST OF THEM ARE SEPARATED BY SOME TREES SO THEY ARE VERY SECLUDED OF WE HAVE TWO SHOWER SOME TREES SO THEY ARE VERY SECLUDED OF WE HAVE TWO SHOWER BUILDINGS HERE IN THE PARK WITH SECLUDED OF WE HAVE TWO SHOWER BUILDINGS HERE IN THE PARK WITH FLUSHED TOILE, HOT AND COLD BUILDINGS HERE IN THE PARK WITH FLUSHED TOILE, HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. PRIMITIVE SITES, FLUSHED TOILE, HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. PRIMITIVE SITES, WE HAVE 15 WALK-IN SITES, WHERE RUNNING WATER. PRIMITIVE SITES, WE HAVE 15 WALK-IN SITES, WHERE YOU HAVE TO CARRY YOUR WE HAVE 15 WALK-IN SITES, WHERE YOU HAVE TO CARRY YOUR EQUIPMENT. YOU HAVE TO CARRY YOUR EQUIPMENT. THEY ARE VERY SEE CLUED. EQUIPMENT. THEY ARE VERY SEE CLUED. WE DON'T RESERVE THOSE, BUT THEY THEY ARE VERY SEE CLUED. WE DON'T RESERVE THOSE, BUT THEY ARE VERY NICE. WE DON'T RESERVE THOSE, BUT THEY ARE VERY NICE. THE COX SEM TEAR SI A PIONEER ARE VERY NICE. THE COX SEM TEAR SI A PIONEER CEMETERY. THE COX SEM TEAR SI A PIONEER CEMETERY. JOHN COX WAS A SCOUT IN THE CEMETERY. JOHN COX WAS A SCOUT IN THE BLACKHAWK WARS OF AFTER THOSE JOHN COX WAS A SCOUT IN THE BLACKHAWK WARS OF AFTER THOSE WARS WERE OVER, HE CAME BACK AND BLACKHAWK WARS OF AFTER THOSE WARS WERE OVER, HE CAME BACK AND HOMESTEADED IN THE PARK. WARS WERE OVER, HE CAME BACK AND HOMESTEADED IN THE PARK. HE AND HIS WIFE AND HIS DAUGHTER HOMESTEADED IN THE PARK. HE AND HIS WIFE AND HIS DAUGHTER ARE BURIED IN THE CEMETERY RIGHT HE AND HIS WIFE AND HIS DAUGHTER ARE BURIED IN THE CEMETERY RIGHT BY OUR SHOWER BUILDING NUMBER ARE BURIED IN THE CEMETERY RIGHT BY OUR SHOWER BUILDING NUMBER ONE. THEY HOMESTEADED THAT AREA KICKAPOO IS A VERY, VERY POPULAR PARK IN EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. ANYBODY THAT VISITS VERMILLION PARK IN EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. ANYBODY THAT VISITS VERMILLION COUNTY KNOW IT IS ALL CORN AND ANYBODY THAT VISITS VERMILLION COUNTY KNOW IT IS ALL CORN AND BEANS. COUNTY KNOW IT IS ALL CORN AND BEANS. WHEN YOU GET TO THE EDGE OF THE BEANS. WHEN YOU GET TO THE EDGE OF THE PARK, YOU THINK HOW MUCH CAN BE WHEN YOU GET TO THE EDGE OF THE PARK, YOU THINK HOW MUCH CAN BE THERE. PARK, YOU THINK HOW MUCH CAN BE THERE. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO THE THERE. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO THE PARK, YOU WILL SEE THE MIDDLE AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO THE PARK, YOU WILL SEE THE MIDDLE FORK OF THE VERMILLION GOES PARK, YOU WILL SEE THE MIDDLE FORK OF THE VERMILLION GOES THROUGH IT. FORK OF THE VERMILLION GOES THROUGH IT. IT IS ROLLING. THROUGH IT. IT IS ROLLING. IT IS HILLY. IT IS ROLLING. IT IS HILLY. IT HAS GOT BEAUTIFUL TREES IN IT IS HILLY. IT HAS GOT BEAUTIFUL TREES IN IT, ABUNDANT WILDLIFE. IT HAS GOT BEAUTIFUL TREES IN IT, ABUNDANT WILDLIFE. IT IS JUST LIKE OASIS IN THE IT, ABUNDANT WILDLIFE. IT IS JUST LIKE OASIS IN THE PRAIRIE OF CORN AND BEANS. IT IS JUST LIKE OASIS IN THE PRAIRIE OF CORN AND BEANS. >> NOT ONLY IS KICKAPOO STATE PARK THE THE FIRST PARK IN THE NATION TO RECLAIM STRIP MINE LAND, IT THE THE FIRST PARK IN THE NATION TO RECLAIM STRIP MINE LAND, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE FIRST TO BE TO RECLAIM STRIP MINE LAND, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE FIRST TO BE SUBSIDIZED BY PUBLIC IS ALSO ONE OF THE FIRST TO BE SUBSIDIZED BY PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS. TO REACH KICKAPOO STATE PARK CALL (217)442-4915.

History

Allhands Cemetery, located in the southeast corner of Kickapoo State Park, is the final resting place for many early European settlers from the early 20th century.

Native American history: 500-1500

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, archaeological evidence indicates the existence of a village inhabited by Native Americans of the Woodland and Mississippian cultures somewhere between 500 and 1500. This village was located at the junction of the Middle Fork and Salt Fork Rivers. The village was home to Kennekuk, a Native American known as the "Kickapoo Prophet," who brokered many treaties between the European settlers and Native Americans. Kennekuk was a proponent of a new form of Christianity that had elements of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.[2] The Native Americans lived in the area which is now Kickapoo State Park until sometime during the 16th century.

Salt production: 1819-1848

Europeans were drawn to what is now the Kickapoo State Recreation Area with the discovery of salt springs in 1819.[1] Most of the immigrants to this area were English.[3] After the Europeans settled in the area, they began to dig wells all over the land. From these wells they harvested salt brine and boiled it down to produce salt. This salt operation continued until 1848, producing as much as 120 bushels of salt per week during the peak of its production process.[1] One of the iron rendering kettles used in the production process can be seen at the Salt Kettle Rest area on I-74.[2] Many European settlers from the early 20th century are buried in Allhands Cemetery, which is located in the eastern section of the park. Other settlers such as John Cox, an Indian fighter and scout in the Black Hawk War,[2] and his wife are buried at the entrance to Fox Campground in a small pioneer cemetery.

Coal strip-mining: 1850-1940

Between 1850 and 1940 the park area was strip-mined for coal, leaving many mine pits and spoil piles.[1] The mine in Kickapoo State Park was one of the first in the country to use mechanization for strip-mining.[2] Over the years these mine pits have filled with water and become lakes and barren areas have been largely reforested.

State ownership: 1940-present

Entrance sign to Kickapoo State Recreation Area

The state of Illinois initially purchased 1,290 acres of land from the United Electric Coal Company in 1939 and added additional areas to the park in subsequent years.[1] Clint C. Tilton, a local newspaper owner and historian, began the drive that brought this park to Vermilion County.[4] Since then the park has gradually recovered from the mine pits and spoil piles left behind from the strip-mining process.

In the fall of 2008, a shortage in the state budget of $2 billion led to the threat of park closure.[5] The state was planning to close 11 parks on November 1, including Kickapoo State Park, to help meet its budget. Kelley Quinn, a spokeswoman from former Governor Rod Blagojevich's office, said "[p]arks are closing across the country; people are being laid off...[you] have to consider the national economy. The national economy is part of...[why we must close the park]."[5] The decision to close the park was met with much resistance. More than 300 protesters, made up of a conglomeration of local Danville residents and University of Illinois students, met at Kickapoo in late August 2008 to protest its closure.[6] Due to the protests, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich decided to allow Kickapoo to remain open while 7 other state parks were closed. In celebration of the park remaining open, a cleanup day of Kickapoo was scheduled on April 25, 2009.[7] Volunteers were provided with the equipment necessary to remove litter from campsites and lakes. Since then there have been many cleanup efforts by local residents.[8]

Plant and animal species

Kickapoo State Recreation Area is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Middle Fork Woods Nature Preserve is located within Kickapoo State Park and is the only known location of the silvery salamander in Illinois.[1] This nature preserve of 69.2 acres [9] is home to many different tree species including white and black oak, hickory, blue beech, sugar maple, basswood, ironwood, redbud, and sassafras. Cypress trees have been planted along pond edges while strip mine banks have been naturally covered by cottonwood and ash trees.[10] This variety of hardwood species colors the park in the fall season and attracts many visitors. In the springtime, a variety of wildflowers can also be seen including: violets, bluebells, spring beauties, Dutchman's-breeches, and nodding trilliums.[1]

Of the 100 different bird species spotted within the park,[10] the belted kingfisher, pileated woodpecker, red-winged blackbird, great blue heron, and least bittern are the most commonly seen. A birding checklist is available at the park office. In addition to the multitude of bird species spotted within the park, there are also a variety of mammals including white-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, cottontail rabbits, and muskrats.[10]

Recreational activities

Camping

Between the two campgrounds within the park there are 184 sites available for tent camping and trailer camping.[1] Reservations can be made at online at Reserve America, however there are a number of walk-in sites for back country tent campers. The maximum length of stay is 14 days within a 30-day period. Almost half of the sites have electric hookups and there are two shower houses which are open from May 1 through November 1.[1] Note that campers staying at sites with electric hookups must pay for the availability of electricity even if it is never used. Campers must also have their own camping equipment as well as their camping permit before entering the campgrounds.[2]

Fishing

There are many fish species found within the park's 22 ponds and the Vermilion River. Some of the most common catches by fishermen are largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, and redear sunfish according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Rainbow trout is another popular fish species to catch in the fall and spring months when the lakes are stocked.[1]

Boating

For boating activities, there are 12 launching ramps on 9 of the lakes in Kickapoo State Park although only electric motors are allowed on these lakes.[1] Kickapoo Adventures, previously known as Kickapoo Landing, is a concession place within the park offering canoe, paddle board, tube, and kayak rentals, shuttle services to parts of the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, bait, firewood, and a restaurant for visitors to enjoy.[11] Visitors may rent boats by the hour for use on Clear Lake within the park, or sign up for a trip down the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River with a canoe, kayak, or inner tube. The tube trip is 2 miles long starting at Sportsman's Lake and ending in the state park. For visitors wishing to partake in kayaking or canoeing activities down the river they may choose between a 13-mile trip beginning at Kinny's Ford, an 8-mile trip starting at Bunker Hill, or a combination of 2 miles on the Vermilion River and paddling through 3 lakes in the park.[11] In addition to rental services, Kickapoo Adventures sells fishing licenses, tackle, and an assortment of worms for bait. The concession also has live music at the dockside cafe Tuesday and Friday nights all summer long.[11]

Hiking

Trail in Kickapoo State Park near High Pond

There are 7 marked hiking trails within Kickapoo State Recreation Area. One of the more challenging trails is the 7.6-mile Out and Back running trail [1] which winds through forest and edges of cropland. The Out and Back trail is also the longest trail in the park and ran from the group camp area across the Johnson Hill Bridge. However, the Johnson Hill Bridge was demolished in 2006, significantly limiting the length of this trail.[12] The Mountain Bike Trail is a 6.5-mile trail which circles Stump Pond and is located in the northeastern corner of the park. Some of the other shorter trails are: Clear Lake Trail (3 miles), Nature Trail (0.75 miles), High Lake Trail (1.5 miles), Riverview Trail (2.0 miles), and Brian Plawer Nature Trail (0.9 miles). High Lake Trail also has a 0.2-mile portion which is ADA accessible.[1]

Mountain biking

Over 200 acres have been allocated for mountain bike use in the park.[13] There are 11 mountain biking routes in this area, ranging from easy to difficult, located in the northeast section of Kickapoo State Park.[8] Some of the more difficult trails have 1–2 foot jumps, steep inclines, switchbacks, and benchcut ravines. The bike trails wind through the forest, abandoned strip mine area, and along the Vermilion River. Mountain bike trails are open for visitors to use year-round, although they close during the annual fall firearm hunting seasons (usually falling on 2 to 4 weekends in November and December), and occasionally due to extended muddy conditions such as the spring thaw or damage following heavy storms.[8]

Hunting

Registered hunters (using firearms or bows) are allowed to hunt white-tailed deer, cock pheasant, rabbit, and squirrels in the park twice a year.[1] There are over 1,000 acres of land for hunters to use each fall.[2] Trap and archery ranges are available to visitors to Kickapoo State Park as well.

Other

Other recreational activities at Kickapoo State Recreation Area include cross-country skiing and scuba diving, and is one of the few state parks in Illinois that allows scuba diving. Certified divers may explore the depths of Inland Sea and Sportsman's Lake.[1] A company by the name of Thunder Wolf Trail Rides used to offer horseback riding lessons, trail rides, hay rides, and birthday parties in the park area but it closed in 2015.[14][15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Kickapoo State Recreation Area". Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Kickapoo State Recreation Area". wildernet.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  3. ^ Meyer, Douglas. "Immigrants: Foreign Immigrants in Illinois 1850". Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  4. ^ Stapp, Katherine; W. I. Bowman (1968). History Under Our Feet: The Story of Vermilion County, Illinois. Danville, Illinois: Interstate Printers and Publishers, Inc. p. 48.
  5. ^ a b Dempsey, Pam. "Governor closing 24 state sites, including Kickapoo State Park". The News-Gazette. Archived from the original on November 16, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  6. ^ Hoepker, Doug. "Kickapoo State Park Will Remain Open". Smile Politely. Archived from the original on August 8, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  7. ^ Firsching, Luke. "Kickapoo State Park Update". Graduate Upper Division Halls. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c "Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club". Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  9. ^ "Middle Fork Woods Nature Preserve:Vermilion County". Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c "Kickapoo State Park". Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c "Kickapoo Landing". Archived from the original on July 15, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  12. ^ Moss, Tracey. "Middlefork bridge work will alter Kickapoo activities". The News-Gazette. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  13. ^ "Kickapoo State Park: Danville, Illinois Mountain Bike Trails". Archived from the original on December 16, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  14. ^ "Thunder Wolf Trail Rides". Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  15. ^ "Kickapoo State Park Trail Rides Close". Retrieved July 14, 2017.

External links

This page was last edited on 10 January 2024, at 05:27
Basis of this page is in Wikipedia. Text is available under the CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported License. Non-text media are available under their specified licenses. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. WIKI 2 is an independent company and has no affiliation with Wikimedia Foundation.