Conservation Areas During the Winter
Macon County Conservation District will turn off and drain water from all unheated facilities and drinking fountains in November. Use of the facilities will be limited through the winter months. Rock Springs Conservation Area has year round restrooms and drinking fountains at the Nature Center and Information Shelter. Friends Creek Conservation Area, Fort Daniel Conservation Area and Griswold Conservation Area will have pit toilets but no running water. Sand Creek Conservation Area has a pit toilet and a hand pump well open year round.
Located near Mt. Zion in southeastern Macon County, Illinois, Fort Daniel Conservation Area is a 200-acre site that is rich in history as well as recreational opportunity [get directions].
Fort Daniel's GPS Coordinates are 39.781681 N, 88.828326 W.
The conservation area includes oak-hickory forests, a sugar maple grove, open grasslands, and floodplain forests. Many unusual plants can be seen here including chinquapin oak, paw paw trees, wafer ash, and the Kentucky coffee tree.
There are trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, a pavilion and an open play area with a playground.
History of Fort Daniel
Fort Daniel Conservation
Area's background includes tales of Southern sympathizers during
the Civil War, and an old stagecoach route. The site takes
its name from the legacy of Reverend Daniel Traughber, who
between the years of 1838 and 1861 became one of the most influential
and beloved men of this part of Macon County .
Trails
There are approximately 4.5 miles of trails
available for hiking and cross-country skiing. The site abounds
with beautiful wildflowers in the spring, provides shaded
woods in the summer and fall and allows for animal tracking
in the snows of winter.
Programs
Programs in both natural and
cultural history are presented throughout the year at the Fort
Daniel Conservation Area. |
Macon County Conservation District