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Sand Ridge State Forests
On November 8, 9 & 10, 2008, a group of us went backpacking in Sand Ridge State Forest, near Forest City, Illinois, about 30 miles south of Peoria. Forest City is a one tavern town with no further amenities for a backpacker. The Sand Ridge State Forest is Illinois largest State Forest with more than 7,000 acres. The terrain is mostly flat with a few small hills, mostly around backcountry campsite 10 in the northwest quadrant. The trees were mostly a mixed growth of oak with a few other hardwoods and white pine, with sections of red pine plantations dispersed in the forest. In many of the few open fields were abundant stunted prickly pear cactus. The trails varied between hard packed sand held together by grass and tree roots, with slightly less than half the trails consisting of sandy to pure sandy trails that slowed the pace. Some trail sections were like hiking in the dunes along Lake Michigan. Pine Valley Drive and Bishop road were hard packed gravel and easily traveled by car. Sand Ridge Road is now asphalted. All backcountry campsites have flat areas to accommodate 4 to 6 backpacking tents. Fires are allowed on a cement pad in each campsite, and firewood was always plentiful indicating that few backpackers have been using these campsites. All campsites with the possible exception of BC 8 would have enough trees to hang a tarp of hammock. The park requires that one camp in the pre-designated campsites, $6 per night per group for one of the 12 backcountry campsites, with a maximum of six in a backpacking group. The backcountry campsites sites can be hiked to between 10 and 30 minutes from the nearest parking lots with the furthest 40 minute hike into Back Country site 11. The Rangers allow road side parking if parking clear of the road and not blocking any fire lines. Some road side parking may be too sandy for cars though. No camping reservations are taken, but the Ranger said that in the last 30 years, they have never been full. Pine Campgrounds campsites cost $8 per group, with a reservable group site Oak campgrounds for groups of up to 50. The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day of the week, and backcountry campsite permits have to be acquired before camping. There are 44 miles of fairly well marked trails. Unfortunately there are 120 miles of unmarked fire lanes and trails that make it easy to go off trail if one does not pay attention. The free trail maps are not drawn exactly to scale, and have no scale of miles on the map. These hiking maps can be obtained by mail by calling 309-597-2212. All 12 backcountry campsites are dry. The Pine Campgrounds has a water spigot left on all year long and Oak group campsite and the Horsemans campsite both have hand pumps. At various spots in the State Forests are about 5 small diameter retention ponds that collect rainwater, and about another 5 areas that retain small amounts of runoff. The rangers suggest the water is NOT suitable for filtering or purification because the ponds were lined with non-porous sheeting like tar paper that could leave the water unsuitable for humans. These small ponds just collect stagnant rainwater for the animals. Turkey, pheasant, and deer abound, and coyotes can be heard in all directions at night. Overall, this Illinois backpacking compares quite favorably with the 11 mile River Ridge backpacking trail in the Forest Glen Preserve just southeast of Westville Illinois. While not as scenic as the Red River Gorge or the Manistee River Loop, backpacking the Sand Ridge State Forest offers a good opportunity for a training hike close to home without the crowds of the more popular and distant backpacking locations. On our November trip, since all the back county campsites were dry, we practiced low water meals. No weight saving can be had by bringing in traditional freeze dried foods since we carried in a three quarts to a gallon of water to each of our campsites.. Dinner the first night was foil pouch BBQ chicken and vegetables served on paper plates. Clean up was done by throwing the napkins and paper plates in the fire. Dinner the second night was venison fajitas served in paper towels. Even less clean up. Breakfast the first morning was a Denver Omelet served on English muffins. Good company, good food, good campfire camaraderie and good exercise was the hallmark of our trip. For those of you who are looking for a new backpacking destination closer to home, here are some more particulars that might be useful in planning your trip: Slideshow: http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/prosecutor104/Sand%20Ridge%20State%20Park/?albumview=slideshow Grid photos: http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/prosecutor104/Sand%20Ridge%20State%20Park/?albumview=grid Back Country Campsite #: 1 Setting: In a nice pine forest 50 feet off the trail but unfortunately it is grossly overgrown with berry brambles with few areas for tent pads. This site is near a nice open field on the other side of the trail but this view is obscured by trees from the campsite. Back Country Campsite #: 2 Latitude: 40 deg 22.465 / 40.37442 Longitude 89 deg, 50.917 /89.84861 Elevation: 492 Setting: In a mixed growth forest 60 north of the Yellow Trail. Back Country Campsite #: 3 Latitude: 40 deg 22.628 / 40.37713 Longitude 89 deg, 51.941 / 89.86568 Elevation: 486 Setting: In a pine plantation 100 east of the trail Note: There is .29 mile unmarked, un-maintained, abandoned trail starting in the parking lot going due west to the Yellow Trail that ends within 200 feet of south of this campsite. One can take this shortcut and turn right at the Yellow Trail to get to this campsite.. Back Country Campsite #: 4 Latitude: 40 deg 23.213 / 40.38688 Longitude 89 deg, 52.219 /89.87032 Elevation: 407 Setting: In a pine forest 75 south of the Orange trail Note: Water spigot 1/3 mile at 40deg. N.E. in Pine Campgrounds. Back Country Campsite # 5: Latitude: 40 deg 22.926/ 40.38210 Longitude 89 deg, 52.793 89.87989 Elevation:541 Setting: Mostly mature oaks 70 off trail Back Country Campsite #: 6 Latitude: 40 deg 23.382 / 40.38971 Longitude 89 deg, 53.649 /89.89415 Elevation: 543 Setting: In a pine plantation south of Blue/ Red Trail Back Country Campsite #: 7 Latitude: 40 deg 23.992 / 40.39987 Longitude 89 deg, 53.525 / 89.89209 Elevation: 500 Setting: In a pine plantation adjoining a large field Back Country Campsite #: 8 Latitude: 40 deg 24.183 / 40.40305 Longitude 89 deg, 53.008 / 89.88346 Elevation: 454 Setting in a small clearing. For larger groups of backpackers up to 6. Back Country Campsite #: 9 Latitude: 40 deg 24.234 / 40.40390 Longitude 89 deg, 53.155 / 89.88592 Elevation: 507 Notes: Just off two trails. For larger groups of backpackers up to 6. Back Country Campsite #: 10 Latitude: 40 deg 24.776 / 40.41294 Longitude 89 deg, 52.927 / 89.88212 Elevation: 579 Setting: In a mixed growth forest on a hill ridge in hill terrain. Back Country Campsite #: 11 Latitude: 40 deg 25.022 / 40.41703 Longitude 89 deg, 53.816 / 89.89693 Elevation: 554 Setting: In a mixed growth forest on a hill 100 south of trail/ Note: frequent road noise. Back Country Campsite #: 12 Latitude: 40 deg 24.950 /40.41583 Longitude 89 deg, 52.459 / 89.87432 Elevation: 522 Setting: In a pine plantation 150 east of Yellow Trail Pine Campground water sigot: Latitude: 40 deg 23.440 Longitude 89 deg, 55.977 Elevation: 518 Illinois DNR website: http://dnr.state.il.us/LANDS/Landmgt/parks/r4/sand.htm
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