Looking for something to do? Try outdoors! (For right now, anyway)
Our team has been advised that at this time, it is okay for people to be in some outdoor spaces in SMALL (like stay with your family) groups. Should that change, we will update this list. People should not do the following items if they:
· are symptomatic or “quarantined;”
· have been in contact with someone that has COVID-19;
· are a part of the ‘at risk’ population (over 60 and/or have underlying health conditions).
Things are changing minute-by-minute. This list has been updated quite a few times in the last 24 hours. We will do our best to keep it updated.
Find Large Eggs in the Champaign County Forest Preserve (should be done this week)
It’s Easter Egg Hunt season. And the Champaign County Forest Preserve District has something special in store.
For the third year, decorated concrete eggs will be placed throughout the Lake of the Woods, Riverbend, Homer Lake, Middlefork and Sangamon River Forest Preserves in Champaign County.
Over the years, CCFPD employees have decorated eggs with designs from the Minions Movie, Angry Birds, Emojis, Ninja Turtles and M&Ms, among others.
The forest preserve district plans to place the eggs throughout the park over the week of March 16-March 22.
Go kayaking
* Please take precautions with water levels when considering kayaking. Over Spring Break (March 16-21), the forecast calls for rain most days. Flooded streams are dangerous.
Weaving between the cornfields of East Central Illinois, the Sangamon River, Salt Fork River, Middle Fork River and Vermilion River offer peaceful kayaking trips, showcasing the majestic trees along their banks and, at points, rocky cliffs that are otherwise unseen in agricultural communities.
Kayakers have also witnessed wildlife otherwise unseen: such bald eagles waiting patiently or blue herons nesting in the spring months.
The best way to keep up on river levels and access points to each river is to follow the experts who help maintain the rivers, and kayak on them often. The following links will help you navigate your trip:
Upper Sangamon River Conservancy
Salt Fork River Runners
Salt Fork River Paddlers Map
Kickapoo Adventures
National Scenic River Map
Middle Fork
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District also provides lakes where kayakers can enjoy being on the water. The lakes at Lake of the Woods, Riverbend, Middle Fork and Homer Lake Forest Preserves all have access points for quiet time on the water.
Take a Hike
The Champaign County Forest Preserve offers a multitude of multi-purpose and rugged trails at Lake of the Woods, Sangamon River, Riverbend, Homer Lake and the Middle Fork River Preserve.
Lake of the Woods
Buffalo Trace Prairie Loop is a 4.1-mile moderately trafficked loop trail located in the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. With access points all along the trail, those seeking access to the prairie, forest or the Sangamon River, can enjoy paved multi-purpose paths (3.3 miles) or trafficked, natural trails.
Migrating bison once roamed the East Central Illinois prairie that is being restored by CCFPD. The tall grass and native wildflowers grew in some of the richest soil anywhere in the world. The prairie is harder to find today, with only 2,000 of the 22 million acres remaining.
Parking at the access points off IL-47 or Crowley Road allows access to a segment of the trail that takes walkers or bikers through the prairie and forest.
Other access points within the park will take guests near the Sangamon River, the Covered Bridge or the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens.
The Rayburn-Purnell Woods weaves among an old-growth oak-hickory forest with some trees as old as 175-years. The “woodlot” that provided lumber for fuel in wood stoves in the early 1900’s has never been farmed so there is an abundance of original wildflower species along the trail.
During the spring months you can see native plants like: trout lilies, Virginia Bluebells, woodland geraniums, wild leek, mayapples, spring beauty, bloodroot, woodland phlox, Dutchman’s breeches and violet.
Riverbend Forest Preserve
One of Champaign County’s best kept secrets, the Riverbend Forest Preserve offers 280-acres, including the county’s largest lake, 2.5 miles of forest along the Sangamon River, as well as a 1-mile nature trail and a 1.2 mile multi-use trail.
In the early spring, the bluebells paint the ground near the river brilliantly. There have also been sightings of deer, turtles, pheasant and wild turkeys.
Sangamon River Forest Preserve
How many people does it take to hug a 300-year old tree? It’s something you can find out at the Sangamon River Forest Preserve. Along a trail that goes along the Sangamon River and through the open prairie, there are white oak and bur oak trees which will make you stop and wonder about everything they’ve witnessed. The late afternoon hours are a great time to get away and take these trails. As the sun sets, it glistens off the water.
Homer Lake Forest Preserve
Homer Lake’s 10 miles of trails have something for everyone. Whether you want to take a short walk or spend the afternoon exploring grasslands, prairies and woodlands, Homer Lake is a place to get away from the noise of the world and reconnect with nature and loved ones.
Whether you want to see a 200-year old sugar maple grove, look at the trees from the canopy or take a seat on a swing near the lake, Homer Lake offers something rich to Champaign County.
Middle Fork River Preserve
Seven-miles of rolling terrain run along the Middle Fork River, an oak/hickory forest and a robust prairie. Travelers have reported seeing some very special wildlife, including beaver, who leave their trail after cutting down saplings along the river.
Vermilion County Conservation District
Forest Glen River Ridge Trail is a 10.3-mile moderately trafficked loop trail that is known as moderately difficult with its very hilly terrain. A “backpack” trail, Forest Glen River Ridge Trail can be done in one day, but there are camping sites set up along the trail for those needing the extra day. Around the midpoint (mile 5.5) there is a gravel road crossing. If you follow that road up the hill there is an observation tower. After a quick climb you can see miles of treetops across Illinois and Indiana.
The Heron County Park Wetland Boardwalk is one of the newest editions to Lake Vermilion. This 950-foot long handicapped accessible floating walkway is the second longest in Illinois. It is accessed by West Newell Road and is located on the north end of Lake Vermilion. A parking lot is available. The boardwalk winds its way through a wetland area created by the raising of the water level of Lake Vermilion by 4.5 feet in 1992. Hours are early morning to dusk daily.
Read in a Garden
Getting too stuffy inside? Get some fresh air and sunshine as you enjoy all that is happening outside during the spring months. Our favorite gardens to read include the Mabery Gelvin Garden in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Busey Woods and Crystal Lake in Urbana, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Allerton Park and Kickapoo State Park.
Check out the Night Sky
Many who live east of the Mississippi have few chances to see the glory of the night sky because of light pollution. But in 2018, Middle Fork River Preserve was designated as an International Dark Sky Park. There are only 68 International Dark Sky Parks in the world, and one is in the northeast corner of Champaign County.
Ride along the Kickapoo Rail Trail
Get out and stretch your legs on the Kickapoo Rail Trail is 6.7-miles from Urbana to St. Joseph designed for hiking, biking, and other non-motorized uses. It follows the former CSX/Conrail railroad, running along IL-150 with views of farmland all around.
Let’s Go Fly a Kite
Open fields and spring winds are the right ingredients for flying a kite. There are plenty of open fields in each town. In the county parks, there is an abundance of open space to navigate the open air.
Go on a Picnic
The warm sun and a meal with family is a great way to spend a spring afternoon. Call your favorite local restaurant for curbside pick up or pack up a lunch or take a few hours during the afternoon to leisurely eat lunch, take a walk and enjoy the fresh air. Please clean up your trash.
