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Randolph
County
Conservation Area
4301 S. Lake Drive
Chester, Illinois
618-826-2706

Randolph County Lake

Randolph County State
Recreation Area consists of 1,101 acres of the rolling hill country of
southern Illinois and includes the 65-acre Randolph County Lake. This
state area offers visitors a variety of recreational opportunities
including hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing, hunting, and camping.
The area is renowned
for its wooded areas and abundance of songbirds and wildlife. The area has
miles of hiking trails and 11.6 miles of horse trails through woods, open
fields, and lakeshore. Hikers or riders may see woodpeckers, hawks,
turkeys, deer, squirrels and waterfowl on these trails. Nestled among
hickory, oak, sweetgum and tulip trees are six picnic areas with shelters,
tables, fire grills, and water fountains. Ninety-five Class C (primitive)
campsites are available throughout the area including one area that
accommodates horses. A group camp area has its own shelter, stone
fireplace, electricity and tables.
Randolph County Lake
is a clear-water lake and is stocked with channel catfish, redear and
bluegill sunfish, walleye, saugeye and rainbow trout. Other game fish such
as largemouth bass, green sunfish, bullhead and crappie can also be found.
A concession stand has fishing supplies and bait. Rental boats are
available and visitors can bring in their own boats but
motors are limited to 10 horsepower. Squirrel hunters will find plenty of
grey and fox squirrels that can be hunted with shotgun or bow. Dove, deer,
rabbit, quail and woodcock are also abundant. Hunters must check at the
park office for a hunter fact sheet, map and regulations. The area also
features a trap range and handicapped hunting and fishing facilities.
Visiting the Randolph County State
Recreation Area
There is no charge to visit the Randolph County State
Recreation Area.

Directions:
All
access to the area is from the west entrance off Palestine Road. Coming from
the north on IL- 3 turn east on Shawneetown Trail south of the town of
Ellis Grove. Turn south on Palestine Road and proceed two
miles to the entrance sign. Coming from the north on IL-150
turn west on Shawneetown Trail and then turn south on
Palestine Road and proceed to the entrance sign. Coming from the south from Chester head north on Palestine Road to
the entrance sign.
Learn
more about the Chester area.
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