Bicyclists will enjoy touring the
Rock Springs/Fairview bike trail that links Rock Springs Conservation
Area to Fairview Park. 2.2 miles of trail wind through diverse
habitat of forest, prairie and wetland. Hawks, deer, songbirds
and even wild turkeys may be spotted as bikers enjoy their ride.
The trail can also be used for hiking, running, roller blading
and meets the Americans with Disabilities Act specifications. Because
the trail runs through low lying areas near the Sangamon River,
it is sometimes closed due to flooding. You can check for trail
closure announcements on the home page of the website. Please remember:
bicycles are not allowed on the non-paved trails. Travel on the
right side of the paved trail and make note of the warning signs
posted along the trail for your safety.
Canoeists enjoy the peaceful serenity
of the Sangamon River that travels through the Rock Springs Conservation
Area. A Sangamon River Canoe Access area is located just north
of the Wyckles Road Bridge on the west side of Wyckles Road. Parking
is provided Please remember to follow all state posted rules and
regulations regarding the use of boats/canoes on the river. Canoes
are not provided by the Macon County Conservation District. The
access may be closed due to flooding. You can check the home page
of this website for closure notices.
The Decatur Park District manages
a put-in site located just below the low-head dam on Lake Decatur
.
Weather permitting, Rock Springs Conservation Area offers ski packages and snow shoes for rent on a daily basis during the winter. Designated trails are available based on snow conditions to ski or snow shoe through the prairies and woodlands. Wild animal tracks, winter wildlife and beautiful scenery will compliment your outing as you experience a central Illinois winter. You can check the home page for snow conditions. Trails are marked and parking is nearby to the Rock Springs Nature Center that houses the rental equipment.
Fees: Ski packages=$8.00/2 hours, $20.00/24hours
Snow shoes=$8.00/2hours
We have ski equipment to fit people age 3-adult. Snow shoes are for people age 12+.
The
thrill of catching a fish is a childhood memory that lives with
many people. Several ponds and the Sangamon River offer the angler
a chance to catch a wide variety of fish at the Rock Springs Conservation
Area. Catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, bass and even rainbow
trout can be caught with a little luck. Trout are stocked in the
cattail pond in the fall of the year.
Fishing poles are also available
on a free loan basis at the Rock Springs Nature Center. Bait and
licenses are not available at the Nature Center. State of Illinois
rules and regulations apply. The Rock Springs Bike Trail Pond can
be accessed from the bike trail which provides a fishing dock that
meets the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and also
includes interpretive signage illustrating pond life and fish that
live in this pond.
Try your hand at creek fishing at
Friends Creek, Fort Daniel or Sand Creek Conservation Areas.
Each of the district’s conservation
areas offer trails for hiking including the Rock
Springs Conservation Area, Friends Creek Conservation Area, Griswold
Conservation Area, Sand Creek Conservation Area and Fort Daniel
Conservation Area.
Deciduous forests can be found at
each of the district sites. Song birds, fox, raccoon, possum, wild
turkey, white-tailed deer, hawks and owls can be found in the rich
habitats in these protected areas. Many hikers enjoy photography
of wildlife, flowers and scenery. Binoculars come in very handy
for bird watchers who can find the indigo bunting, eastern bluebird,
cooper ’s hawk and pileated woodpecker in many of the district
areas.
At the Rock Springs Conservation
Area hikers of all ages can find a wide variety of trails with
beautiful forests, prairies, ponds, creeks and the Sangamon River
to search for wildflowers and many species of wild animals. The
Rock Springs / Fairview Bike Trail provides a paved path with gentle
hills and valleys that compliment the scenery and colors of the
natural areas.
Sand Creek Conservation Area provides
7.6 miles of trails that include a portion of the Paris Springfield
Road. The road cut can be found just south of the Mt. Gilead Cemetery
and crosses the Sand Creek at the Old Trace Ford. Walk where Lincoln
walked as you travel this area. He and his family traveled this
route when coming to Decatur from Indiana in March of 1830. A sugar
maple grove is especially gorgeous in the autumn.
Friends Creek Conservation Area offers 4.75 miles of hiking trails that will lead you to the past
as you visit the Bethel School. Founded in 1850s, the school served
the children in the area until 1946. Beautiful views along Friends
Creek await hikers.
Fort Daniel Conservation Area offers
hikers 4.5 miles of shaded trails along the bluffs of Big Creek.
Rich, deep woods provide quality habitat for song birds and mammals
including warblers, woodpeckers, owls and white-tailed deer.
Griswold Conservation Area is only
43 acres in size but has a beautiful vista of the flatlands of
central Illinois. Hike the trail to the overlook on top of the
glacial kame and you will be treated to a view not many have seen.
A short quarter mile trail will guide you around the kame through
open habitat, a small wooded area and near a wetland where you
might find a little green heron. A half mile tree lined lane connects
the area with the Village of Blue Mound.
The
Sand Creek Conservation Area is a 755 acre natural area with 7.5
miles of 10 foot wide trails for horseback riders and hikers alike.
Located just south of Decatur the beautiful scenery along Sand
Creek includes trees, flowers and wildlife. A $2.00 daily fee applies
for out of county residents who want to ride horses on the trails.
The old Paris-Springfield Road, established in 1824, ran through
part of what is now the Sand Creek Conservation Area. 18 limestone
parking pads measuring 10 feet by 40 feet are located at the park
entrance. Each pad includes a picnic table, grill and hitching
rack.
The Griswold Conservation Area offers
an exciting opportunity for people who enjoy sledding. The glacial
kame left there 175,000 years ago is a large mound of soil and
rocks deposited by the glacier. This forms a perfect place for
sledding when the weather produces a good base of snow. A small
warming hut is located on top of the mound. Beautiful views of
the surrounding countryside can also be enjoyed by visitors who
brave the climb to the top of the mound.
The Team Trust Course offers organized
groups a unique environment in which to enhance their skills at
tackling problems in school, the work place and life in general.
Professional facilitators lead groups of all ages through the various
physical challenges of the course in order to develop group cooperation
and problem solving skills. Fees and schedules vary. For more information
or to schedule your group on the course please call Project Development
Network at 362-0500. |
