With so many parks in the Land of Lincoln, it can be difficult to decide which one to visit next. If you love a little bit of history with your nature, there’s a historic park near Marshall, Illinois that will please your Illinoisan heart.
This one is all about our roots. From Abraham Lincoln to the Native Americans, this state park has been familiar to them all. Check it out:
Lincoln Trail State Park on the east-central side of Illinois is a little-known natural area that preserves wildlife and history. It is known for its extensive trails and scenic views.
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The area is named for Abraham Lincoln as the trail within the park marks the path his family took to get to the Prairie State from Indiana in 1831. You’ll be strolling in the footsteps of justice when you go for a walk or hike here.
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In total, this historic park is 1,023 acres. Part of it was first acquired in 1936 but the park and lake were not dedicated until 1958.
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Speaking of the lake, there is a marvelous 146-acre body of water at the southwest corner of the park that is probably the most popular section of the place. This man-made lake has numerous fingers and is bordered by thick woodland for amazing views you’ll want to photograph in every season.
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Another thing that makes this a historic park is the fact that it was previously occupied by the Miami, Kickapoo, and Mascouten Native American groups. When you hike the trails, you may see leftover carvings from their cultures in the rock bluffs.
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Altogether, this trail extends into Kentucky to mark the entire path Lincoln’s family took before ending up in Illinois. There are 3,000 markers throughout three states to show the way, and the park is just west of the trail.
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In addition to walking in the steps of greatness, there a wealth of other fun activities to enjoy at this historic park. Boating and fishing are allowed on the lake. You can also hunt in the forest as well as camp and picnic.
TripAdvisor/mhaller28 This park is even open in the winter for activities like ice fishing, skating, and cross-country skiing.
Address: 16985 East 1350th Road, Marshall, IL, 62441
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This park is even open in the winter for activities like ice fishing, skating, and cross-country skiing.
For more details about the Lincoln Trail State Park, check out its page on the Illinois Department of Natural Resouces website here. If you’ve ever been to this historic park, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
For more like this, check out this trail of the six best Abraham Lincoln attraction in Illinois you’ve got to visit if you love history.
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