Pyramid State Recreation Area, State recreation area in Perry County, Illinois
Pyramid State Recreation Area is a protected area spanning 19,701 acres in southern Illinois with 24 lakes, forests, and grasslands distributed across five separate management units. The site features multiple campgrounds, trails for walking and cycling, and water areas for fishing and outdoor recreation.
The land was an active coal mine operated by Pyramid Coal Company until operations ceased in 1959. Illinois acquired the first 924 acres in 1968 and gradually converted the site into a public recreation area.
The name reflects its coal mining heritage, keeping that industrial past visible to visitors who explore the grounds. Walking through reveals how a working landscape was reclaimed and given new purpose.
The area has primitive campgrounds and more than 16 kilometers of trails suitable for walking and biking. Spring through fall offers the best visiting conditions, with well-maintained paths and accessible lakes for fishing.
The landscape bears the marks of coal mining with rolling hills instead of Illinois's typically flat terrain, creating an unusual geography for the region. Boats on the lakes are limited to 10-horsepower motors, a restriction that protects the water environment.
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