Trail of Tears State Forest Camping
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Overview
A brief introduction to Trail of Tears State Forest
Trail of Tears State Forest is a State of Illinois conservation area on 5,114 acres (2,070 ha) in Union County, Illinois, United States.
Trail of Tears was established in 1929 when Illinois purchased 3,000-acre (1,200 ha) acres of Shawnee Hills land and used the resulting land to create the Kohn-Jackson Forest (later Union County State Forest). Soon afterwards, the state park was improved with work performed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Subsequent land acquisitions created the 5,114-acre (2,070 ha) Trail of Tears State Forest of today. The forest occupies land near the route followed by the Cherokee in December 1838 during their forced relocation in the Trail of Tears.
Today's state forest contains a state tree nursery, the 222-acre (90 ha) Ozark Hills Nature Preserve, and 22 miles (35 km) of trails for hiking and equestrian use. The nearest town of any size is Jonesboro, Illinois.
ARE Trail of Tears State Forest campsites SOLD OUT?
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Scan for cancellationsContact Trail of Tears State Forest
- Illinois State Parks
- Booking site: https://recreation.exploremoreil.com/IllinoisWeb
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Other nearby parks
Open to camping at other nearby parks? Here are a few other parks you'll find in the vicinity.
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Map
View a map of Trail of Tears State Forest
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