Dixon Springs State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.illinois.gov(618) 949-3394
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Dixon Springs State Park is a park in Pope County, about 16 miles north of Metropolis.
Fees and passes
Free: 'The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) does not charge an Entrance Fee to any state owned or operated land.' Camping, cabins and shelters are fee-based.
Statewide fee rule from Illinois's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ExploreMoreIL (IDNR camping, cabins, group camps and shelters)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Reserve Your Campsite
Dixon Springs Park Brochure
There is a Class B trailer camp area with a sanitary dumping station and electricity available. A tent camping area is also provided for the primitive camper. Campers need to obtain a permit from the park personnel. Cabins and a group camping area are available for organized groups. Reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL™.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Trails
Trails
There is a self-guided, 1.7-mile nature trail and a 1-mile trail through Ghost Dance Canyon.
Swimming
Swimming Pool
A modern swimming pool, bathhouse, and 45-foot water slide are provided for swimmers’ enjoyment. A lifeguard is on duty at all times. Towering oaks, elms, and birch trees shade the pool.
Fishing
Fishing
Although Richland Creek offers negligible fishing opportunities. Hidden Springs has five stocked fishing ponds. Hickory Ridge
Pond and Prairie Pond are accessible by vehicle. White oaks, Sassafras and Park Pond are available by foot on trail systems. Bass, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish are stocked in all. Swimming is prohibited anywhere on forest property.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Park or camp store
Water
- Swimming beach: not available (stated by the park)
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessibility at Dixon Springs:
•
Parking - Park has asphalt parking lots with accessible parking spaces. Concrete sidewalks are adjacent to the parking lots.
•
Camping - Campsite #1 is accessible and has a wheelchair-accessible picnic table and grill.
•
Service animals are welcome in the park. There are water hydrants in the campground.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 982 IL. 146
Golconda, IL 62938 - Nearest town
- Metropolis — about 16 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.3810, -88.6660
- Phone
- (618) 949-3394
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Illinois State Parks (IDNR state parks and recreation areas) — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- IDNR All Parks list (AEM content-fragment list JSON) + each unit's landing page for official title, coordinates, address, phone
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology