“enter the land of lincoln”
Whether you are looking for history, unusual plant life or recreation, Lincoln Trail State Park has something to interest you. Located just west of IL Rt. 1, 2 miles south of Marshall in Clark County, the area is named after the trail Abraham Lincoln's family followed en route from Indiana to Illinois in 1831. Three Native American groups, the Miami, Kickapoo and Mascouten, occupied the site before it was ceded to the United States in the early 19th century. Today, visitors to the 1,023-acre park can enjoy the sights of an American Beech woods; wildflowers, including the unusual squaw-root and beech drops; and recreational activities such as boating, camping, fishing, hiking and winter sports. There is truly something for everyone.Lincoln Trail Lake The focal point of the park is Lincoln Trail Lake, which covers 146 acres in the southwest corner of the park. With its numerous fingers and more than 7 miles of thickly wooded shoreline, it offers one beautiful vista after another. Lincoln Trail Lake was the third lake created in Illinois (1955-1956) using federal monies under the Dingell-Johnson Act. The lake's maximum depth is 41 feet. Fifty years after Lincoln's death, the Illinois General Assembly authorized the Illinois State Historical Library to mark the exact route traveled by Abraham Lincoln from Kentucky to Illinois. Almost another 50 years passed before the 1,000-mile trail was opened in 1963. With 3,000 markers showing the way, the trail winds through Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. Lincoln Trail State Park is just west of the trail, as it follows IL Rt. 1. A few miles north of the park, the trail branches off onto a county road heading west toward Clarksville. Long before Abraham Lincoln passed through the area, it was settled by Native Americans. Before the 18th century, the main tribes in the area were the Piankeshaw and Wea, of a Miami group. In the early 1700s, the Kickapoo moved south from Wisconsin, pushing the Piankeshaw and Wea south and east. The Kickapoos remained in control of the land until it was ceded to the United States in two separate treaties.The western boundary of the first cession is known as the Old Indian Boundary Line or the One O'Clock Line. It runs through Clark County, passing through Lincoln Trail State Park near the boat dock and crossing the campground. It is called the One O'Clock Line because it is said that, if you look south from Pilot Grove in Vermilion County, the boundary runs in the direction of the sun at one o'clock in the afternoon. The area west of the original boundary was ceded by the Kickapoo in 1819.The state acquired the first 31 acres of the park in 1936. The park and lake were officially dedicated in 1958.
Reviews of Lincoln Trail State Park
15 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G/5G
Confirmed by 5 users | Last reported on September 29, 2023AT&T 4G/5G
Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on October 15, 2023T-Mobile 4G/5G
Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on March 01, 2023Lincoln Trail State Park in Illinois is a great place to camp while traveling I-70 across the country. It is approximately 5 miles from the interstate, just out of the little town of Marshall. We had a reservation for a pull-through site with electric ($20/site plus a $5 reservation fee using ReserveAmerica). The site was long and level, perfect for an overnight without having to unhook the truck and trailer (50 ft. total length). The restrooms were clean and the host was on-site and friendly. The campground was quiet and since we were there on a Sunday night, uncrowded. This was the second time we stayed there while crossing the country and I think the next time we're passing through we will have to spend additional nights to enjoy the park and the small town nearby.
Nightly Rate: $25.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 6
This is a gem of a park. If you are near. Stop in, you won't be disappointed...We walked through the park and found beautiful trails that lead to a gorgeous lake. In summer they have a restaurant on the lake along w/a bait shop. Boat ramps were very nice. If you can reserve and have a smaller rig, Go to the "Lakeside camp area." Sites 40-44 are right on a bluff overlooking the lake. Try and reserve them. This is a great park. Only 5 miles off I 70. Large Beech trees are everywhere. Wal Mart is in town. Pick up what you will need prior to arrival. 30-50 amp sites. No water at sites, but available through the park areas.
Nightly Rate: $20.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 4
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
This state park is about 6 miles off the highway. We came on a Saturday afternoon in mid September, without reservations, and had no problem securing a site. We even got lucky and had a partial lake view.
Electricity is included. Believe it was only 30 amp. Amperage seemed to be low. Had to turn on our intervert booster to run AC. It was warm and muggy.
Park has several camping areas. One larger more open, a couple areas in the trees and the lake loop. There is an onsite restaurant and boat ramp.
All in all not a bad state park.
Nightly Rate: $20.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 89
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
AT&T 4G
Stayed day after Labor Day and had campgrounds to ourselves. Very nice with easy access
Nightly Rate: $20.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 89
This is a wonderful state park. Lots of sites, well spaced around a lake with dock, restaurant, and gift shop. You are driving across the fields thinking..oh no and come on a grove of trees. Once you enter the grove of trees you are in another world. Beautiful lake, fishing and boating. Only wished I had spent more time. WARNING: many of these sites are above the lake level and you go down many, many stairs to get to the docks. You will get a work out. Plan on driving your kayak or canoe to the dock, unless you're a sucker for punishment.
I really enjoyed the park, most state parks in IL have cafe/food service. something I wasn't expect but was nice on a cross country trip.
There are a variety of hookups.
Nightly Rate: $20.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 0
My husband and I stayed here on a cross country trip and was able to park our RV here for the night. Park was a little deserted at the time but it's so beautiful and clean.
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 1
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
Quiet place. Plenty of playgrounds and fishing for the whole family!
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 4
Site Number: -
Deadheading from Las Vegas, NV to Philadelpha, PA we stopped in Marshall, Illinois at Lincoln Trail State Park. There are 2 great campgrounds Plainview and Lakeside and yes it is by the lake. There is space for rigs as big as 44 foot to as small as a tent.
When we pulled up to the campground we were greeted by the camp host. When we asked about the 2 different campgrounds he offered to take us for a ride around on a golf cart.
We loved Lakeside but because we were only staying for the night we chose to stay at Plainview because it was easy pull in with tow still attached and then easy pull out in the morning. It was beautiful with a gravel, fairly level site, a fire pit and picnic table. There was plenty of firewood that was available to use.
This campground had a huge community fire ring, surrounded by logs to sit on, there was a horse shoe set and bathrooms with showers and a family bathroom. There was a beautiful playground and lots of trails to hike or walk. This campground was extremely clean. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. Dan & I are looking forward to returning and staying for at a week.
Ok this is a little crazy… while we were hanging out a gentlemen came over and asked “are you Dan Hunt”, and told us how he had been watching our YouTube channel and has seen all of our videos. It was really cool.
Everything You Need to Know
As of this video you can make reservations
Check out the website for full information
https://camp.exploremoreil.com/locati...
Plainview Campground has at least 20 pull through sites that are 50 ft long.
Electric 15, 30, and 50 Amp
Easy In Easy Out we pulled our 40 ft RV with 11 ft tow car into the site and easily pulled out
There is water available throughout the campground but cannot hook up.
Bathrooms and Showers with family bathroom
Fire pit with grill
Picnic table
Large group fire pit with logs to sit on
Kids play area
Horseshoes
Hiking trails
ADA spots available
Restaurant on the grounds open from April to October
Lakeview Campground
There are many back in sites and most over look the river.
Large gravel, fairly level sites with picnic table and fire pit
You can boat or fish but No swimming
For more information and reservation go to website
https://camp.exploremoreil.com/locati...
Check out our Review Video
https://youtu.be/ivQKzZsjZuY
Nightly Rate: $20.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 6N
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
We have to work while camping and had absolutely no internet connectivity - this really makes an impact on our review, so if you don't care about internet, please add a star! The park was nice, but we would choose the loop closer to the water in the future for better views. Beautiful park with a nice little restaurant. Good hiking and some beautiful drives.
Nightly Rate: $20.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 02
We arrived early evening and we're greeted by several campground hosts. Smaller sites, some trees and nature.. Good deal for the price.
Nightly Rate: $10.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 65D
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
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Lincoln Trail State Park
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Back In RV Sites Count
- 12
- Last Nightly Rate
- 20.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 40.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 10.0
- Max Length
- 40ft
- Max Stay
- 14
- Pull Through RV Sites Count
- 23
- Sites Count
- 240
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Rec Facilities
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Back In RV Sites
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Potable Water
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
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Water Hookup
- Reservations
- Does not take
Campground, Dining, Restrooms
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