Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

If you’re looking for the ideal place to drop your line and catch a record fish, look no farther than Clinton Lake State Recreation Area. Recreational opportunities abound at this 9,300-acre facility, just 3 miles east of Clinton in central Illinois. From picnicking, hiking and camping to swimming, water skiing and boating to hunting for upland game, people from all over the midwest flock to Clinton Lake to enjoy the great outdoors.If just relaxing and watching the animal life is your interest, Clinton Lake has various small mammals and nearly 40 species of birds, including osprey which dive into the lake for fish. In the spring, it is the place to search for morels. In the fall, it is ablaze with a rainbow of color.The park land is owned by AmerGen which operates a nuclear power plant in the area since 1978. The State of Illinois has operated the park through a long-term lease with the utility company. The partnership demonstrates that the state government and private businesses can work together to provide outstanding recreation. If just getting out and about is your interest, try the park’s three hiking trails. The 5 mile Houseboat Cove Trail north of the beach is easy to moderate in difficulty and follows the shoreline and comes back through the woods. The 9.3 mile North Fork Trail is more challenging, running through the steeply wooded banks of the lake, and providing unparalleled views of the lake and opportunities to view wildlife. There are no exits anywhere, so be prepared for 4.2 miles up and 5.1 miles back. There’s also a 40-acre restored prairie along the North Fork, but beautiful wildflowers can be seen along both trails. A ten mile equestrian/hiking/cross-county ski trail is located on the north side of the lake east of the Parnell Access Area. Horse trailer parking is at that location. The area is now equipped with a wheelchair ramp for mounting horses.  All equestrian trails are closed to horses from Oct. 1 to the end of archery deer season.