Crawford County Illinois
Forest Preserve
Thank you for stopping by the new home for our Forest Preserve. For more information about our projects, initiatives and donors you can continue on the page.
Information
Crawford County Building & Grounds Committee
The building and Grounds committee reports any deficiencies of County owned Buildings or property to the County board. It is our responsibility to maintain buildings and property owned by the County.
The Crawford County Forest Preserve has a volunteer oversight Committee responsible for vision and the future of the Preserve. However, the preserve still falls under the Building & Grounds committee for any possible deficiencies.
Below is contact information for members of the Crawford County Building & Grounds Committee. New committees are appointed after each county election every 2 years.
Chairman – Shane Robinson
Park Policies
By entering Crawford County Forest Preserve you agree to abide by the Park Policies as listed below:
- Park hours are from dawn to dusk year round. Campgrounds are open May 1 – October 15.
- Alcohol is not permitted on park property.
- Firearms and fireworks are not permitted on park property. This includes BB guns, air guns and spear guns.
- State law requires fishing licenses. (See Illinois Department of Natural Resources for updated requirements.) No trout lines, bush lines, or jug fishing are permitted. No Culling fish on a stringer. Fishing limits are based on 24 hour period. Local fish size and catch limits are enforced.
- Place all trash in receptacles.
- Vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas.
- Children must be supervised at all times.
- Solicitation of any kind is prohibited on park property.
- Pets are welcome; however, they must not be left unattended. They must be kept on a leash and not tied to a tree. Pick up and properly dispose of all fecal matter.
- Fires are permitted only in grills or designated areas. All fires must be extinguished prior to leaving the site.
- No trees, plants, wild animals or birds are to be disturbed. Mushroom, persimmons, walnuts, and wild berries may be collected. Digging for plants such as ginseng, yellow root or any other plant material is not allowed.
- Picnic tables may not be moved from the shelters or designated locations.
- NO boating or swimming or hunting are allowed.
- Playground equipment must be used as designed. Climbing on the outside of equipment or using the equipment for a purpose other than it was designed may result in a serious injury and ultimately in the removal of that piece of equipment. Young children should never be left at the playground unsupervised.
- NO motorized vehicles of any type are allowed on walk paths.
- The Crawford County Forest Preserve is not responsible for any items lost or stolen while visiting the park. Do not leave vehicles unlocked or personal items out in the open.
Camping Information
2020 Primitive Camping Rates:
$10.00 per night
3 nights/ 4 days maximum per camping site
- Tent camping only.
- Check-out time is 2:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and holidays.
- All campsites are first-come first-served. No reservations will be taken. Campers cannot ‘hold’ campsites for anyone.
- All camping fees must be paid in advance to the Crawford County Forest Preserve Groundskeeper. ONLY cash will be accepted as payment.
- Place camping pass on the rearview mirror. Passes should be removed when traveling outside of the forest preserve for safety.
- The park gate closes at 9:00 p.m. After that hour, campers may not exit and reenter the park. Exceptions include emergencies.
- A maximum of 6 individuals are permitted on each campsite. At least one person must be at least 18 years of age. The party member the campsite is registered to must remain on the site for the entire stay.
- Each campsite is limited to 2 one-room tents.
- Vehicles are limited to 1 per campsite. Additional vehicles must be parked in the parking lot.
- Fires must be lit in designated areas and attended at all times. Do not burn trash. Collecting firewood or cutting down standing trees is not permitted in the forest preserve.
- Visitors are welcome from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitors must park in the designated parking area.
- Quiet hours are from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Place garbage in receptacles provided.
- No dumping of sewage.
- No generators are permitted on the campgrounds.
- Pets are welcome; however, they must never be left unattended. They must be kept on a 6′ or less leash and never tied to a tree. Campers are responsible for the pickup and disposal of their fecal matter. If your pet becomes a nuisance due to excessive barking, etc. you will be asked to remove your pet from the campgrounds.
- Use of park water to wash vehicles is prohibited.
- When the park staff is mowing, clear the ground of all cords and items in the grassy areas.
- No solicitation or sales are permitted on the park property.
- Geo caching is allowed above ground only. No digging permitted.
Crawford County Forest Preserve reserves the right to ask your party
to vacate the campgrounds, with no refund, if these
Expectations and/or Park Policies are violated.
Fishing Information
Catch and Release is encouraged
- People over 16 must have a valid Illinois fishing license on their person.
- No Culling fish on a stringer, once a fish is placed on your stringer replacing the existing fish with a more desirable fish is not allowed.
- One fishing pole in use per person. All limits are per day.
Fish Limits
- 3 catfish over 10″ long
- 5 bluegill* over 8″ long
- 1 bass over 16″ long
*Bluegill includes any fish in the bluegill family.
Limits are based on a 24 hr period & based on fish population and advice from the IDNR.
Violation of these rules can result in a $250 fine.
Hours and Details
Office
Chairman:
Groundskeeper: Keith Wirey
Scheduling/Rental: Janice Robinson
Tel: 618-553-0805
Park Hours
Year Round – Dawn to Dusk
Current Meeting Schedule
Improvements & Leadership
Forest Preserve Committee
Gary Woolverton
Denise Wells
