Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area, Protected recreation area in Fayette County, Illinois.
Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area is an 1,980-acre protected space in Illinois centered around an artificial reservoir surrounded by timbered shoreline and natural landscapes. Rolling hills frame the lake, while woodlands and prairie grasslands extend across the wider property.
The site was originally called Old Fox Chase Grounds before undergoing a major transformation starting in 1947 with the construction of an artificial lake. This development shifted the land from a hunting preserve into the modern recreation area.
The recreation area plays an important role in local outdoor traditions, with designated spaces where visitors gather to fish, hunt, and ride horses. These activities have deep roots in how people in Illinois connect with the land around them.
Camping sites and picnic shelters are spread across the property, with boat access available at multiple launches limited to electric and pedal motors. A 15-mile trail system for horses runs through the woods and open areas, making it practical for longer outings.
The Ramsey Railroad Prairie is a 4.5-acre preserved section of original Illinois prairie running along an abandoned railway line from 1850. This patch of native grassland remains one of the few undisturbed prairie remnants in the region and offers visitors a chance to see what the landscape looked like before settlement.
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