The Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is undergoing exciting changes and upgrades for your family to enjoy, day or night
You may have heard that Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, in the northeastern corner of Champaign County, has achieved the distinction of being the first (and only!) International Dark Sky Park in Illinois. But maybe you don’t yet know about all the ways your family can enjoy this out-of-the-way preserve during the daytime.
Middle Fork during the day
The Middle Fork River Forest Preserve includes over 4 miles of the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River. It encompasses 1,700+ acres and includes a campground (online reservations only), playground, a swimming beach, hiking trails, restrooms, open air shelters, picnic tables, grills, and an Activity Center building.
The Middle Fork River Forest Preserve also contains one of the region’s premier Waterfowl Management Areas. More than 130 acres of prime nesting habitat for migratory waterfowl — including sandhill cranes! — are located here. An easily accessible viewing area is located at the North Waterfowl Management Area entrance (with parking), allowing visitors the opportunity to observe a wetland teeming with life. The South Waterfowl area and the Point Pleasant Wetlands can be observed from the nearby trails. Note that the Point Pleasant trail has its own parking and entrance on the south end of the Preserve.
More things to know for your visit
- Hiking — Many of the preserve’s hiking trails form loops with the campground at the center, so families can pick how short or how long a hike to attempt with the younger generation in tow. You’ll get prairie, forest, wetland, and river views on your hikes here. Wear footwear that can get wet or muddy.
- Swimming — Willow Pond, the largest of Middle Fork’s three ponds, underwent a complete renovation during 2022, and shore restoration continued during 2023. The District announced the reopening of the beach to swimmers on June 8, 2023 — bringing the total number of public-access beaches in Champaign County back to 1.
- Fishing — Fishing is currently allowed in the preserve’s two smaller ponds, or you can try your hand at river fishing. Reminder: adults in Illinois need a fishing license. Bring your own equipment.
- Camping — There is a campground at a Champaign County Forest Preserve! With the popularity of this dark sky park, the campground is a natural extension to your Middle Fork visit. Rates are as low as $20/night. Call for reservations (not available online).
- Entry — The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk (exact times vary by season). Note the gate closing time when you arrive at the preserve, please! The entry/parking at the North Waterfowl Management Area is open 24 hours a day for night sky viewing. It is located at 2554 County Road 3500 North.
International Dark Sky Park
Members of the C-U Astronomical Society and other area residents have “unofficially” enjoyed Middle Fork’s stargazing for years. They worked with the CCFPD over a multi-year period to earn the official Dark Sky Park designation in 2018 for the preserve. This work had two components: first, investing in dark-sky-friendly lighting for the preserve; and second, committing to public education about the importance of nighttime darkness for nature, for energy efficiency, for human health and wellness, and for safety.
As a bonus, the preserve now benefits from “astro-tourism,” where amateur or professional astronomers travel specifically to dark sky parks around the country — or the world. The preserve even won Visit Champaign County’s 2021 Tourism Impact Award for its role in expanding local tourism.
In July 2022, the CCFPD won a major grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to further support the Middle Fork River Preserve’s Dark Sky mission. Construction will include plans for a dark sky trail with dark-sky-friendly lighting, trail nodes for stargazing, an observatory where visitors can set up their own telescopes, an open-air shelter, a small parking lot, expanded campgrounds, and a nature play area. The award will also help meet the higher demand for hiking trails and continue to improve ADA accessibility.
Other improvement work was completed at Middle Fork in 2022. In addition to the very visible overhaul of Willow Pond, nine new ADA-compliant water fountains were installed at the campground.
Who knew this was all right here practically in our backyard?
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