Walnut Point State Park

Reserve Your Campsite

Several types of camping are offered at Walnut Point State Park. "Class A" camping areas offer campers use of electric hookups and a shower building with flush toilets. In addition, "Class C" walk-in tent camping areas and a group camping area (youth and adult) are available. Drinking water and a sanitary dump station are provided. During cold weather, camp facilities are subject to closure. Campers are reminded they are required to have their primary camping unit with them before they can occupy a site and obtain a permit. The shower buildings are closed by November 1st (may be earlier if bad weather) and reopen May 1st (may be earlier—weather depending).

Currently, all Class "A and C" campsites are available for reservation. Reservations can be made through the ExploreMoreIL™ website. Please contact the park office for current information and specific details or view the reservations website. The group camping area and two large picnic shelters are also reservable.

PLEASE NOTE: Fox Tent, Gray Tent, and Group Camp are "alcohol-free" camping areas.

Hiking

Hikers, joggers, and nature-study enthusiasts can utilize over 5 miles of trails:

Whispering Pines Trail weaves through the nature preserve and is 1.75 miles long.

Woodpecker Trail meanders beside the lake and is 1 mile in length, with .5 mile being handicapped accessible. This trail is also a self-guiding, tree-identification, interpretive trail.

The Observatory Trail starts from the Whispering Pines Trail and provides the best access and views to the Embarras River bottomlands. The total round-trip is 2.35 miles.

Also, hikers and joggers can create a 3-mile exercise loop by using the main park road and the Gray Squirrel-to-Twin Points connecting trail.

Fishing

With its many fingerlike coves, Walnut Point Lake provides a beautiful setting for an angler to enjoy a quality fishing experience. Anglers can try their luck either on the lake—which supports largemouth bass, black crappie, channel catfish, redear sunfish, bluegill, and brown bullhead—or along the banks of the Embarras River. Floating docks, fixed piers, and two single-lane boat launches are provided for lake access. Anglers are restricted to pole-and-line fishing only.

​Accessibility at Walnut Point:

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Parking - The parking lots are asphalt with accessible parking spaces. There is approximately a 20-foot distance to the concrete sidewalk and a 30-foot distance to the park office.

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Restrooms - Accessible vault toilets are located in the campground, boat ramps, and day use areas, and flush toilets are available in the park office and campground shower house.

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Camping - The Fox Squirrel and Grey Squirrel campgrounds offer reservable ADA campsites with wheelchair-accessible picnic tables. Reservations can be made through ExploreMoreIL™

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Trails - The Woodpecker trail is a 5/8-mile asphalt wheelchair-accessible trail. There is also a 200' accessible hunting blind trail.

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Picnicking - The day-use area has wheelchair-accessible picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets, and there is approximately a 30-foot distance to the shelter from the parking lot.

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Fishing - The park offers accessible fishing piers at 9 different locations. There is approximately 25 yards or less from the parking area to the piers.

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Service animals are welcome in the park, but the park does not have outdoor water fountains.