one adult must accompany each group of 15 minors. 15 of group each accompany must adult one lovers each year. each lovers for cooking fires to avoid the possibility of damaging the site. the damaging of possibility the avoid to fires cooking for

Groups of minors must have adequate supervision, and at least at and supervision, adequate have must minors of Groups equipment. Only park grills or personal cookstoves should be used be should cookstoves personal or grills park Only equipment. Shawnee Hills. The park is visited by more than 250,000 nature 250,000 than more by visited is park The Hills. Shawnee

Several areas also have shelters, drinking water and playground and water drinking shelters, have also areas Several Today, Ferne Clyffe State Park covers 2,430 acres of the majestic the of acres 2,430 covers Park State Clyffe Ferne Today, drinking water, picnic tables, cooking grills, toilets and parking. and toilets grills, cooking tables, picnic water, drinking

seven picnic areas, all with tables, cooking grills, parking and toilets. and parking grills, cooking tables, with all areas, picnic seven Youth Group campground. This Class D facility is equipped with equipped is facility D Class This campground. Group Youth

the sites are valued. are sites the

Ferne Clyffe has been a favorite picnic spot for decades. There are There decades. for spot picnic favorite a been has Clyffe Ferne

Scouts, church groups and other youth groups will enjoy the enjoy will groups youth other and groups church Scouts, climbing—yet protects the significant natural resources for which for resources natural significant the protects climbing—yet

Picnicking

erainl s—iig hnig hreak iig n rock and riding horseback hunting, use—hiking, recreational and toilets are located near the parking lots. parking the near located are toilets and

for management as a Land and Water Reserve. This allows for allows This Reserve. Water and Land a as management for pads, picnic tables, cooking grills and showers. Drinking water Drinking showers. and grills cooking tables, picnic pads,

Cedar/Draper Bluff area being added to the Ferne Clyffe State Park State Clyffe Ferne the to added being area Bluff Cedar/Draper

Lakeview Picnic Shelter and Blackjack Oak Trail. Oak Blackjack and Shelter Picnic Lakeview rience. It is a Class C walk-in campground that includes camp includes that campground walk-in C Class a is It rience.

oet evc fnlzd ln tae ht eutd n the in resulted that trade land a finalized Service Forest

are prohibited. Spectacular views of the lake can be seen from seen be can lake the of views Spectacular prohibited. are Turkey Ridge is for campers who want a serene outdoor expe- outdoor serene a want who campers for is Ridge Turkey

In 1995, the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. the and Resources Natural of Department Illinois the 1995, In shoreline. It is open to bank fishing, but boating and swimming and boating but fishing, bank to open is It shoreline.

few comforts of home with their outdoor adventure. outdoor their with home of comforts few

imum depth of 22 feet, and a hiking trail encompasses the 1-mile the encompasses trail hiking a and feet, 22 of depth imum

Illinois Redevelopment Board resulted in the state purchasing it. purchasing state the in resulted Board Redevelopment Illinois

tion complete the setting for campers who prefer to include a include to prefer who campers for setting the complete tion ditional recreational and scenic opportunities. The lake has a max- a has lake The opportunities. scenic and recreational ditional

and political groups such as the Greater Egypt Association and the and Association Egypt Greater the as such groups political and

Drinking water, showers, flush toilets and a sanitary dump sta- dump sanitary a and toilets flush showers, water, Drinking Since 1960, the 16-acre Ferne Clyffe Lake has offered visitors ad- visitors offered has Lake Clyffe Ferne 16-acre the 1960, Since

nois, but it wasn’t until 20 years later that efforts by conservation by efforts that later years 20 until wasn’t it but nois,

ing gravel pads with electricity, picnic tables and cooking grills. cooking and tables picnic electricity, with pads gravel ing

In 1929, Rebman offered to sell her 140-acre park to the State of Illi- of State the to park 140-acre her sell to offered Rebman 1929, In Ferne Clyffe Lake Clyffe Ferne

Deer Ridge campground is a well-shaded Class A facility offer- facility A Class well-shaded a is campground Ridge Deer

the site from the Goreville train depot for an additional dime. additional an for depot train Goreville the from site the

seasonally. seasonally. traction that local entrepreneurs began providing transportation to transportation providing began entrepreneurs local that traction

facilities that are offered at some campgrounds are available are campgrounds some at offered are that facilities days for a 10-cent admission. Ferne Clyffe was such a popular at- popular a such was Clyffe Ferne admission. 10-cent a for days

ern, primitive, youth group, backpack or equestrian. The shower The equestrian. or backpack group, youth primitive, ern, school superintendent, who opened the park to the public on Sun- on public the to park the opened who superintendent, school

Ferne Clyffe has a campground for every type of camper: mod- camper: of type every for campground a has Clyffe Ferne sold to Emma Rebman, a local schoolteacher and Johnson County Johnson and schoolteacher local a Rebman, Emma to sold

dance. The area soon became known for its beauty. It eventually It beauty. its for known became soon area The dance.

Camping

they called it Ferne Clyffe because of the ferns that grew in abun- in grew that ferns the of because Clyffe Ferne it called they

today as Hawks’ Cave/Rocky Hollow. Using an Old English spelling, English Old an Using Hollow. Cave/Rocky Hawks’ as today

In 1899, two Cairo brothers purchased a part of the park known park the of part a purchased brothers Cairo two 1899, In

area as their hunting range while on their march. Tears of Trail their on while range hunting their as area

hundred years later, the Cherokee are reported to have used the used have to reported are Cherokee the later, years hundred

or near Ferne Clyffe on their trip to Fort Kaskaskia in 1778. One 1778. in Kaskaskia Fort to trip their on Clyffe Ferne near or

George Rogers Clark and his contingent reportedly passed through passed reportedly contingent his and Clark Rogers George

History

wild turkey. wild

doves, quail, bluebirds and other songbirds, and an occasional an and songbirds, other and bluebirds quail, doves,

a visit to Ferne Clyffe. Ferne to visit a

As you walk the trails, you can anticipate seeing squirrels, rabbits, squirrels, seeing anticipate can you trails, the walk you As

ing, fishing and sightseeing to experience, you can’t help but enjoy but help can’t you experience, to sightseeing and fishing ing,

ing the springtime color show. Fall foliage is at its best in October. in best its at is foliage Fall show. color springtime the ing from both I-57 and I-24. With camping, picnicking, hiking, hunt- hiking, picnicking, camping, With I-24. and I-57 both from

fall. Late April and early May are particularly good times for view- for times good particularly are May early and April Late fall. miles south of Marion, the 2,430-acre park is easily accessible easily is park 2,430-acre the Marion, of south miles

dinary color backdrop for recreational activities in the spring and spring the in activities recreational for backdrop color dinary Located on Illinois Route 37, just 1 mile south of Goreville and 12 and Goreville of south mile 1 just 37, Route Illinois on Located

oak, hickory and some of the woodland flowers create an extraor- an create flowers woodland the of some and hickory oak,

of a designated trail. trail. designated a of

wood, redbud, serviceberry, spicebush, sumac, sweetgum, maple, sweetgum, sumac, spicebush, serviceberry, redbud, wood,

visitors are warned to use extreme caution if they leave the safety the leave they if caution extreme use to warned are visitors

in the park, as there are more than 700 species. Flowering dog- Flowering species. 700 than more are there as park, the in

naturally occurring hazardous areas do exist within the park, so park, the within exist do areas hazardous occurring naturally

It would be nearly impossible to list all of the plant life that thrives that life plant the of all list to impossible nearly be would It

to view fascinating rock formations and inspiring vistas. However, vistas. inspiring and formations rock fascinating view to

Flora and Fauna and Flora

ignated trails wind through picturesque woods, allowing visitors allowing woods, picturesque through wind trails ignated

enhances the many recreational facilities offered at the park. Des- park. the at offered facilities recreational many the enhances

tures and unusual plant communities create an atmosphere that atmosphere an create communities plant unusual and tures foot-long shelter bluff, and a 100-foot-tall intermittent waterfall. intermittent 100-foot-tall a and bluff, shelter foot-long

for nearly 100 years. An abundance of ferns, rare geological fea- geological rare ferns, of abundance An years. 100 nearly for trails, but two of the best-known sights are Hawks’ Cave, a 150- a Cave, Hawks’ are sights best-known the of two but trails,

Ferne Clyffe has been known as an outstanding natural scenic spot scenic natural outstanding an as known been has Clyffe Ferne Impressive rock formations can be seen from almost all of the park the of all almost from seen be can formations rock Impressive

Natural Features Natural Ferne Clyffe State Park State Clyffe Ferne

Fishing and Hunting Bank fishermen will be impressed by populations of largemouth State of Illinois bass, bluegill, channel catfish and redear in the lake. Department of Natural Resources Hunters will appreciate the 1,750 acres of forested habitat, which has good populations of deer, squirrel and turkey. Quail and rab- bit populations are fair. Food patches are planted in open areas each year to enhance the habitat for upland and forest game species. Please check in at the hunter check station, located at the maintenance building, prior to your hunt. Ferne Clyffe S T A T E P A R K

Ferne Clyffe State Park s

Ferne Clyffe State Park P.O. Box 10, 90 Office Drive Goreville, IL 62939, (618) 995-2411

n While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park’s facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts. n At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors. n Pets must be kept on leashes at all times. n Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints. n For more information on state parks, write to the Department of Round Bluff Nature Preserve Natural Resources, Clearinghouse, One Natural Resources Way, Just south of the Lakeview Picnic Shelter is the 53-acre Round Springfield, IL 62702-1271 visit our website at www.dnr.state.il.us. n Bluff Nature Preserve. This area is a marvelous mix of unusual For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department geological features and uncommon plant communities. Each sea- of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Bureau of Tourism at 1- 800-2CONNECT. son brings its own beauty to the area, but spring and fall are the n most colorful seasons. Dutchman’s breeches, trillium, spring Hearing-impaired individuals may call the Department of Natural Resources’ TTY number, (217) 782-9175, or use the Ameritech Relay beauty, trout lily and other woodland wildflowers add vibrant color Number, 1-800-526-0844. to the groundcover in the spring. Fall’s colder temperatures change the deep greens of the summer tree foliage to a spectacular mix of Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individu- reds, purples, golds and browns that cover every hillside. als regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other nonmerit factors. If you be- lieve you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source’s civil rights office and/or the Within the preserve, hiking is restricted to marked trails only. All Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702- plants and animals within the preserve are protected by law. 1271; (217) 785-0067; TTY (217) 782-9175.

Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois DNR130 – 3/15 • IOCI 14-0622 Legend Goreville Road (To I-57) 12 Equestrian Camping

To Marion To Horseback Trail Ferne ClyffeRoad Park Boundary Dump Station Sullivan Road

Regent Lane Picnic Area Park Office Crawford Street Maintenance Bldg.

Illinois Route 37 12 Picnic Shelter Parking Ferne Clyffe St. Ferne Clyffe 2 Fly Avenue Campground Hiking Trail 12 State Park 1 I-57 11 17 12 3 U.S. Forest Service Property Restricted Area 4 No Hunting 5 Tunnel Hill Road 12 18 (To I-24) Trails 10 6 12 UNION COUNTY

JOHNSON COUNTY 10 1 7 Ferne Clyffe Lake Trail 13 Cedar Bluff Trail 16 10 Rebman trail Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail Cedar Bluff Climber’s Access Trail 15 2 Goreville Boy Scout Trail 8 14 16 Happy Hollow Road 9 Ferne 9 Clyffe Lake Park Entrance Rocky Branch Trail Big Buck Creek Trail 3 Hawk’s Cave Trail 9 15 7 Happy Hollow Trail Bobcat Loop Trail Big Rocky Hollow Trail 10 4 10 16 8 Happy Hollow Horse Trail High Ridge Trail 11 Waterfall Trail 13 11 5 11 17 12 River to River Trail Bork’s Waterfall Trail 12 Blackjack Oak Trail 6 12 18 Illinois Route 37 12 Rebman Lane

Happy Hollow Road 148 Makanda 37 12 Tunnel Hill Road 14 Goreville Road 127 Goreville  24 51 H 57 Ferne Clyffe State Park Lick Creek Road 146  Anna 37 Cedar Grove Road Jonesboro  146 45 Vienna 127 51 10. Happy Hollow Trail is a difficult 5-mile trail that winds through 14. Cedar Bluff Climber’s Access Trail is an easy 0.5-mile hike 4. Big Rocky Hollow Trail is an easy hike with a round-trip Backpackers enjoying their commune with nature will appreci- Trails woods and old fields and includes several steep climbs. that provides foot access to various climbs at a designated ate the solitude of the individual campsites in the Class C Back- distance of 0.75-mile. The trail leads to a 100-foot-tall in- Eighteen diverse trails offer visitors the chance to view the 11. Happy Hollow Horse Trail is an 8-mile equestrian route ac- climbing/rappelling area, located at the southwest end of pack campground. Located a half-mile from the Turkey Ridge termittent waterfall. beauty of Ferne Clyffe at their own pace. Please note that the cessible from the horseback campground. Portions of the Cedar Bluff. Foot access only is allowed. primitive campground parking lot, these woodland sites have 5. Waterfall Trail is a moderately difficult 0.75-mile hike that park does not allow motorized vehicles or bicycles on the trails. trail are shared by hikers and horseback riders. Horses 15. Big Buck Creek Trail is a scenic, wooded 2-mile trail that cooking and grills. Water and trash receptacles are available at begins at Deer Ridge Campground and also leads to the should be kept on the equestrian-designated trails only. Equestrian use is allowed only on equestrian-designated trails. generally follows along Big Buck Creek. Its difficulty is the Turkey Ridge parking lot. You’re reminded to be careful with waterfall. The trail is closed to horses from Nov. 1 to April 30. Equestrian trails are closed to horses from Nov. 1 to April 30. moderate. your fires and to pack out what you pack in. Naturally occurring dangerous areas exist within the park, so 6. Blackjack Oak Trail is a moderately difficult 1-mile trail that 12. River to River Trail, which cuts across 16. Bobcat Loop Trail is a secluded 1-mile loop in the heart of exercise awareness and caution. For your safety, it’s recom- offers impressive vistas. It leads hikers up two steep from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River, passes Horseback riders can ride directly to their own Class C Eques- the Cedar Bluff area. Difficulty is considered moderate. mended you hike on designated trails. Each trail has been as- climbs from the lake to the Hillside picnic area. through Ferne Clyffe State Park, offering 8 miles of mod- trian campground on the trail or drive to it in their vehicles. Up erately difficult terrain. The trail is marked with white dia- This trail links with the Cedar Bluff Trail and the Big Buck signed a number, as well as a name, to make map reading easy 7. Ferne Clyffe Lake Trail is an easy 1-mile hike that provides to 25 riders can be accommodated at the site, which includes monds with a blue “I” in the center. The portion of the trail for even the novice hiker. anglers with an opportunity to get close to the banks of Creek Trail. picnic tables, drinking water, cooking grills, toilets, parking and that passes through Ferne Clyffe is open to foot traffic and the lake. 17. High Ridge Trail is a 1.5-mile trail, moderate in difficulty showers. The campground is well-shaded by an abundance of 1. Rebman Trail is an easy 0.25-mile hike. A plaque dedicated horses only, and the trail is closed to horses from Nov. 1 and open to hikers and equestrians. This trail splits off of trees, and you must protect the trees by tying horses to the to Emma Rebman marks the beginning of the trail. This 8. Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail is a 1-mile moderately to April 30. No motorized vehicles or bicycles are allowed difficult trail that leads hikers past rare plants and impres- the Big Buck Creek Trail and travels high along a ridge hitching rails. There are no horses available for rent. trail also provides foot access to a designated on any Ferne Clyffe trails. climbing/rappelling area. sive rock formations. This is a nature preserve, and hiking 13. Cedar Bluff Trail is a 2-mile hiking trail rated as moderate through the woods. Sites in the Deer Ridge, Turkey Ridge and Youth Group camp- is restricted to the designated trail only. 2. Goreville Boy Scout Trail is a steep trail that connects the in difficulty. A short hike on Cedar Bluff trail leads to a sce- 18. Bork’s Waterfall Trail is a 0.5-mile-long trail that provides grounds do not require advance reservations. Backpackers and park to the nearby town of Goreville. This 0.5-mile trail is 9. Rocky Branch Trail is a 0.25 mile foot trail. This trail forms nic vista atop Cedar Bluff. For those interested in a longer access to the base of the waterfall. This is an easy hike to horseback riders should, however, make advance arrange- moderately difficult. a linkage between the portion of the Happy Hollow Trail on hike, the trail proceeds from the vista along the ridge top an exceptional geological feature. ments through the park office. top of the bluff with the portion of the Happy Hallow Trail then descends the bluff and intersects with the Bobcat 3. Hawk’s Cave Trail is an easy 0.5-mile trail that leads visitors near the creek. Hikers and hunters often use it as a shortcut. Loop Trail. past one of the largest shelter bluffs in Illinois.