4301 S. Lake Drive
Chester, Illinois
618-826-2706
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.
Camping
Fifty-one Class BE campsites, 95 Class C campsites, an equestrian site with eight stalls for horses, and four Class D (primitive) campsites are available throughout the area. A group camp area has its own shelter, stone fireplace, electricity and tables. Some campsites at Randolph County SRA can be reserved online through Reserve America at www.reserveamerica.com
Visiting the Randolph County State Recreation Area
The Randolph County State Recreation Area is open from dawn to dusk
Open at any time for campers
There is no charge to visit the Randolph County State Recreation Area.
Call 618-826-2706 for camping information.
