Horse Trail Mapping and Preservation Society


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Sand Ridge 

 State Forest      

Sand Ridge Illinois trail review By Dave Kaemmerer  

For those in the Midwest I wanted to let you know about a unique place to ride in Illinois . Sand Ridge State forest at Forest City Illinois is close to Peoria Illinois in the Midwestern part of the state.    

Due to pre-historic dry periods the area has a more of a desert like southwest type feel than the normal corn fields of Midwestern Illinois. There are even small cacti. The trails are wide, well marked and mostly filled with sand and little to no rock. These trails wind through some really scenic tall pine tree forests, open fields and oak groves.  Spaced along the trail are small camp sites and the park has a day rider parking area with tie-ups and a separate horse campground. The ride was unique in a number of ways.  The day was warm for early March and my wife Kristine, my buddy Jeff Johnson 3 of our mules and I headed out from the day parking lot. The mules were ready to run after a spell of no riding due to bad weather in the area. But the sand trails quickly convinced them that running was a bad idea. Yes we kicked them up to a run at the less sandy spots later on to let them have their fun(and ours) but it was after we all get stretched out.  The tall thick pines created areas where no sunlight reached. Some of these areas still held ice and snow despite 60 degree weather. Riding from plant filled warm sunny areas with cacti into dark, clear of ground cover cold and icy areas kept the ride changing and interesting. The mules really seemed to have happy ears as they climbed the sandy changing trails and all of us riders were in a relaxed happy mood.   As we broke for lunch at one of the trail side camps I sat against a tree and listened to the deep woods chorus. What’s a deep woods chorus you ask? It’s those peaceful moments in deep woods when it’s so quiet you can hear the wind rustling through the tree tops making an ocean waves sound, small creatures rustling, your mules quietly grazing and resting. You look up and see blue skies, and sunshine.  That peace, that lack of traffic sounds, lack of machines, lack of man made city noise is what I call the “Deep Woods chorus”.  To me it brings peace to the soul and reenergizes my mind and spirit.  It’s a time I thank God for the many blessings he has gave me and my family. Those blessings include my mules and times and places like this.

 
 Horseman's Park are the Day rider parking lot is the starting point for all equestrian use.

Trails are color coded and well marked.

50 camping spots. No electricity. Firepads, hitching rails, and pit-vault toilets are provided for visitor use.

Trails closed during firearm deer season.

The 55 miles of trails and over 150 miles of fire lanes.  

SAND RIDGE STATE FOREST

EQUESTRIAN REGULATIONS

Equestrian use is permitted on all trails and fire lanes with the following exceptions. The Green Trail Loop (1.75 miles), the H.A. Gleason Nature Preserve, Pine Campground, Oak

Campground, Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, all back country campsites, day use areas, and

game fields are “Restricted Areas” closed to equestrian use. Administrative Rules and

Regulations, Title 17, Chapters 110 and 130 will be enforced. Maximum capacity for

Horseman’s Park Campground will be no more than 20 campsites. Day use riders will be

confined to Mockernut Meadow (Equestrian Overflow Area) and will have 10 camp sites

available by order of the Site Superintendent or other arrangements with organized group activity

permit.

There are approximately 50 miles of marked trails and an additional 150 miles of fire

lanes for equestrian use. If there are questions about where to ride or not to ride, ask staff for

assistance. They are happy to help!!!!!!!

SAND RIDGE STATE FOREST IS CLOSED TO HORSES DURING THE

FIREARM DEER SEASON EACH YEAR.

Riders must stay on marked trails or fire lanes; starting new trails or simply riding

“cross-country” is prohibited.

Please load and unload horses at Horseman’s Park or Mockernut Meadow only.

Overnight Class “C” camping is available at Horseman’s Park Campground for $8.00 per night.

Facilities include hitching rails, picket line posts, privies, water and shelter. Campers may pull in

and park at designated camp sites only. Shelter reservations are accepted by application.

Campsite reservations are not accepted.

To help save all trees, please do not tie horses directly to or from use of picket line to any

tree in the forest. Use of fencing or corrals in Sand Ridge is prohibited due to public health and

safety issues. Please backfill all holes dug by horses. Please keep all dogs on a leash and under

control of owner. Fires are permitted on concrete pads only. Please put manure in designated

area.

Littering is prohibited. Please pack out what you pack in and use waste containers

provided throughout the forest. Please use care when smoking. Enjoy your ride!!!!!!!!

Sand Ridge State Forest P.O.Box 111 25799E CR 2300N Forest City IL 61532 (309) 597-2212

http://dnr.state.il.us

August 26, 2004BEL

 

Directions

P.O. Box 111
Forest City, IL 61532
309-597-2212

From the west, east or south: Follow IL Rt 136 to Mason County Road 2800E and turn north. Continue in a straight line for about 6 miles, through the village of Forest City. This road will turn to the west and become Mason County Road 2300N and will lead you directly into the forest. From the north, follow IL Rt 29 south out of Pekin to the Manito Road, turn west and go to Manito, about 20 miles. In Manito, watch for the sign for Mason County Road 2500N and again turn west (right). In about 6 miles you will have entered the forest. From either entrance, follow our clearly marked signs to the facility or destination of your choice.

For more information contact site personnel at Sand Ridge State Forest, P.O. Box 111, Forest City, IL 61532 or by phone at 309-597-2212.

 

HTMPS MAP of this park's horse trails

Click to enlarge

Waypoints in Magellan format (zipped)- Sandridgewpt.zip

Waypoints in Text format - SandridgeWPT.txt

 

HTMPS Track of this park's horse trails

Orange trail 4.98 Miles

Orange Trail trak(zipped)- ORANGETrk.zip

Orange trak converted to text file- SandRidgeORANGEtrk.txt

Blue Trail 7.7 miles

Blue Trail trak- SandRidgeBluetrk.zip

Blue trail trak converted to text - SandRidgeBluetrk.txt

 
 

IL DNR map of this park's horse trails

 Coming soon!!!