Lincoln Trail State Park

Lincoln Trail State Park is a recreational nature area near Marshall featuring a large lake surrounded by forest and diverse outdoor activities. The park offers hiking trails, boating opportunities, fishing access, and developed camping facilities.

The park began in 1936 as a small state land acquisition and expanded over the years before official dedication in 1958 with its lake. The area had been inhabited by Native American peoples before they ceded it to the United States in the early 1800s.

The park is named for the trail that Abraham Lincoln traveled as a young man when moving toward Indiana. Visitors today can grasp how this historic route shaped the landscape and human movement through the region.

The park features well-marked trails of varying lengths, making it accessible for visitors of different skill levels to explore the grounds. Boating is allowed on the lake with speed restrictions, and fishing access and picnic areas are available throughout the park.

The American Beech Woods section harbors rare plants that grow without chlorophyll and survive by drawing energy from surrounding trees. These unusual species make this forest area noteworthy for those interested in plant biology.

Location: Clark County

Inception: 1958

Website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/LincolnTrail.aspx

GPS coordinates: 39.34580,-87.71830

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:26