Located on the banks of the Wabash River in southeastern Illinois, Beall Woods State Park attracts visitors from around the world who are interested in experiencing one of the few remaining tracts of virgin timber east of the Mississippi River. At Beall Woods, visitors can see trees 120 feet tall and more than 3 feet in diameter. Besides hiking, Beall Woods also offers visitors a quiet, relaxing setting for camping, picnicking and fishing.
Activities
Fishing
In the late 1970s, a 15-acre lake was developed to provide park visitors additional recreational opportunities and a scenic backdrop. Anglers can fish for largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. The lake also is stocked in the spring and fall for trout season. While a boat launch is located on the lake, only trolling motors may be used.
Trails
Five established trails offer hikers excellent views of Beall Woods' old-growth forest. From the easy 1-mile Tuliptree Trail, which features a self-guided trail brochure, to the 1.25-mile moderately easy White Oak Trail, the nature enthusiast can get a sense of what the settlers saw when they arrived at the banks of the Wabash River.
To preserve the fragile ecosystem, hikers are urged to stay on established trails. Pets, bicycles and horses are not allowed on trails. Collecting or removing any natural objects is prohibited. Depending on the season, visitors should come prepared with insect repellent.
Tuliptree Trail - An easy 1-mile upland forest trail. Several self-guided brochures featuring tree identification and spring wildflowers growing along this trail are available for visitor use and can be picked up at the trail entrance or in the visitor center.
White Oak Trail - With the exception of two flights of steps, the White Oak Trail is a moderately easy 1.25-mile trail offering hikers the greatest variety of vegetation and forest conditions. It passes over five soil types, through good examples of upland and bottomland forest and gives visitors a sense of what the settlers experienced when arriving at this part of the state. For those interested in a longer hike, the Ridgway Trail is accessed from the White Oak Trail
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Ridgway Trail - This 1.75-mile moderately easy trail is accessed from the White Oak Trail. It is a dedicated, living memorial to Robert Ridgway, one of America's foremost ornithologists (a person who studies birds), who spent his boyhood in this area. Closed periodically during flooding, this trail winds through a reforested field and features several varieties of bottomland oak and hickory trees. A combined White Oak-Ridgway Trail walk is 3 miles in length.
Sweet Gum Trail - This .50 mile easy trail follows Coffee Creek and features an interesting rock cliff. Many plants adapted to cool, moist and shady conditions thrive here. The visitor must access this trail from the park's north side. The trail is closed periodically due to flooding.
Schneck Trail - This trail is dedicated to Dr. Jacob Schneck, a pioneer Mount Carmel physician and botanist. This easy 1.75-mile trail is accessed from the park's north side and is closed periodically due to flooding.
Hunting
In an effort to reduce the negative impacts white-tailed deer are having on the nature preserve, a deer management program has been implemented at Beall Woods utilizing the archery season.
