Lincoln Trail State Park

Reserve Your Campsite

Two Class A campgrounds, Plainview and Lakeside, offer something for every type of camper. For those who like the beautiful sights and sounds of the great outdoors but prefer the amenities of home, both areas offer electricity, showers, tables, fireblocks, playground equipment, water, toilet facilities, and a sanitary dumping station. For those who wish to be attuned to nature without the distractions of modern conveniences, Lakeside Campground also includes a Class C camping area for tents. The shower buildings are closed by November 1 (may be earlier if bad weather) and reopen May 1 (may be earlier, weather-dependent). For camping reservations, visit ExploreMoreIL.

Organized youth groups may wish to reserve the group camping area in advance by calling the park office.

All campers must obtain camping permits before entering the campground.

The Lincoln Trail State Park restaurant/concession has available firewood, bait, boat rentals and, during the camping season, will make free deliveries of dinners to the campground.

Hiking

You can enhance the pleasure of your stay at the park by taking a short walk past the boat docks and campgrounds or a longer hike that lets you experience the diversity of the site.

The Beech Tree Trail is just 0.5 miles long, extending from the boat dock parking lot and concession stand, past the large picnic shelter, to Lakeside Campground. The trail includes a series of stairways and footbridges, which provide an excellent view of the beech-maple forest contained within the nature preserve.

For the adventurous, Sand Ford Nature Trail is an opportunity to experience the park's habitat changes while enjoying a 2-mile hike through an oak-hickory forest.

Boating

Boaters can take advantage of the opportunity for time on the water or just enjoy the view of the shoreline from Lincoln Trail Lake. The docking facility includes a launching ramp and parking for boat trailers. Boat and seasonal dock rentals are available at the concession stand. Lincoln Trail Lake is unlimited horsepower with a no-wake zone for the entire lake.

Fishing

Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish abound at the lake and provide another source of enjoyment for visitors. Size and creel limits are in effect for some species, so check with the site office for specific information on fishing opportunities and regulations.

​Accessibility at Lincoln Trail:

• Parking - There are asphalt parking lots with accessible parking spaces. There is a 50' distance to the nearest concrete sidewalk.
• Fishing - There are two accessible wooden fishing piers available. One is located at the restaurant and the other by the new boat ramp. There is approximately a 50' distance from the parking area to the fishing piers.
• Restrooms - There are accessible vault toilets in the Lakeside Campground and all of the day-use areas. Accessible flush toilets are located in the shower house in the Plainview Campground, in the bait shop, under and in the restaurant, and in the park office. All restrooms have concrete walkways.
• Camping - Lakeside campground has 8 accessible campsites, and Plainview campground has 7. All campsites had accessible fire rings and picnic tables. All are reservable through ExploreMoreIL™
• Service animals are welcome in the park.