Camping
Relax In Area's Beautiful Parks
By Sam VanCamp
Families can enjoy any of the areas three public campgrounds.
There is nothing quite like a campfire in the spring to chase away to cold memories of winter.
There is something special about looking into those red embers and realizing that the camping season has just begun and that you have the rest of the year to camp out under the stars and enjoy the warmth of a campfire.
The old saying, "There's something about a salad in a restaurant that you can't duplicate at home" holds true with campfire cookin'. A hot dog, cooked over an open campfire, is something you just can't duplicate in the kitchen; neither are the "s'mores."
When you come to Vermilion County to camp, expect a lot of great campfire cookin' and expect a great place to camp.
There are three public camping facilities in Vermilion County; Kickapoo State Park west of Danville; the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area to the north of Kickapoo; and Forest Glen Preserve, located five miles east of Westville.
For campers, Kickapoo has two major campgrounds for tent and trailer camping, with 184 sites. About half the sites have electrical hookups. There are two shower buildings available to all campers, and a sanitary dump station is available. Campers occupying electrical sites are required to pay for the availability of electricity even if the service is not used. A limited number of walk-in sites are available for primitive campers.
Several campsites can be reserved in advance by writing the site or by applying in person. The maximum length of stay is 15 days in a 30-day period. Group camping is permitted. Campers must have camping equipment with them when they register to camp. All campers must obtain a camping permit before entering the campgrounds.
Canoeing is a popular activity for many campers.
The Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife area has Class C (vehicular access or walk-in with water available), D (tent camping or walk-in with no vehicular access or water), and equestrian camping facilities. Other classes of camping also are available at nearby Kickapoo State Park.
The state park facilities are readily accessible from the Kickapoo canoe take-out point at the park's west entrance. Kickapoo is located five miles south of the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area. Call (217) 442-4915 for more information on both Kickapoo and the Middle Fork.
Forest Glen Preserve offers camping as well. There are 41 campsites available in the main campground, with 35 having electricity. Water is available, but not at each site. There also are 12 tent sites in a different location in the park, along with six group campsites, one of which has unlimited space for a large group. There also is one campsite with three sites along the Back Pack Trail.
There also is a six-acre pond next to the larger campsite with a concrete boat ramp. Only electric motors are allowed. There are three smaller ponds in the park that can be fished from the bank. Call (217) 662-2142 for more information.
Come and join us this spring. You will always be welcome.
