Hidden Springs State Forest
- 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(217) 644-3091
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Shelby County, about 15 miles northwest of Effingham, Hidden Springs State Forest covers about 1,096 acres.
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
Camping
Possum Creek, a Class "C" campground, includes drinking water, privies, a sanitary disposal station, pedestal stoves, fire blocks, and a fire ring. Campers may set up camp on the site of their choice. Forest staff issue permits on routine rounds. Shady Grove Campground accommodates groups by reservation only. Ground fires in both areas are allowed only in the fire rings provided.
Youth group camping reservations are accepted through the ExploreMoreIL™ website.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Trails
Hiking
Possum Hollow Nature Trail, 3/4 mile in length, provides access to Park Pond and the pine seed orchard. Trail guides, available at the headquarters, campground, and picnic area, guide the visitor to the 35 interpretive stations. The Big Tree Trail, 1 mile in length, features a sycamore 78 inches in diameter, one of the largest in Illinois. Rocky Spring Trail, 3 miles in length, includes Rocky Spring, a forest improvement area, walnut production areas, and varied land and vegetation types. Seventeen miles of fire lanes also provide access to remote areas of the forest. Your cooperation in keeping both motorcycles and horses off foot trails and fire lanes is appreciated.
A pleasurable and peaceful forest environment awaits the visitor. A bird checklist is available at the headquarters to those who come to enjoy the many songbirds in the area. Flowers and mushrooms grow prolifically throughout the forest.
Fishing
Fishing
Five fishing ponds, two accessible by vehicle and the other three by foot only, are found on the forest property. Fish stocked are bass, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish. Richland Creek flows the length of the forest, but fishing opportunities are negligible. Swimming on forest property is prohibited.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
✓ 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 Hidden Springs:
•
Parking - The park has asphalt parking lots with accessible parking spaces and nearby sidewalks.
•
Picnicking - The Rolling Meadows Picnic Area has accessible parking spaces with a concrete sidewalk to the shelter with accessible picnic tables.
•
Restrooms - Rolling Meadows has accessible vault toilets available.
•
Service animals are welcome in the park, but outdoor water fountains are not available.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 2438 E 700N Rd.
Strasburg, IL 62465 - Nearest town
- Effingham — about 15 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.3150, -88.6930
- Phone
- (217) 644-3091
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
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology