Illinois Historic Preservation Agency

11/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/10/2026 15:00

New hiking and biking opportunities available at Fox Ridge State Park

New hiking and biking opportunities available at Fox Ridge State Park

SPRINGFIELD - A newly resurfaced hiking and biking trail is now open at Fox Ridge State Park near Charleston. The project gives visitors more recreational opportunities within the park and supports the long-term effort to develop a regional trail connection between Charleston and Fox Ridge State Park.

The Embarras River Connector Trail project constructed a 0.6-mile trail between South Canoe Access Road and North Canoe Access Road. The project included installing culverts to address drainage issues and adding directional signage.


The $195,427 project was funded through the federal Recreational Trails Program , which provides an 80% federal share and a 20% state match for eligible trail projects.

"We're pleased to invest in trail improvements like these because they ensure visitors can safely enjoy the beauty of Illinois state parks and the outdoor recreational opportunities the state has to offer," said Jim Montgomery, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "This project will provide improved access for hikers and bicyclists while enhancing the long-term sustainability of the trail system."

Fox Ridge State Park
is south of Charleston in Coles County features camping, boating, fishing, hunting and recreational trails for bicyclists and hikers. For additional information, call the park at 217-345-6416.

About IDNR


The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook , YouTube and LinkedIn .
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on November 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 10, 2026 at 21:00 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]