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| Sand Ridge State
Forest Forest City, Ill. Rating:
(four campfires out of five) Date: March 2005 Description: Sand Ridge has a car campground and several backcountry sites along a 44-mile trail system. The park is situated on an ancient sand dune south of Peoria. Habitat includes sand prairie (with prickly pear cactus) and oak-hickory and coniferous forests. Most of the conifers were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Recreation: This is one of the better backpacking locations in the CampChicago area. The trails are quite scenic and there is some solitude (certainly in the off-season). There are several loops to choose from. Birding is very good here and at the nearby Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge. Birds sighted at Sand Ridge included ring-necked pheasant and red-breasted nuthatch. Heard barred owls, great horned owls and several coyotes at night. Privacy: The backpacking sites offer plenty of privacy. Most are situated several yards off the trails. The car campground was quite open. Alcohol: prohibited Reservations: No. Plenty of sites available in March. Rants: Much of the hike is on deep sand (think Mount Baldy at Indiana Dunes). That makes for serious trudging on some of the inclines, especially with a pack on.
Camp Chicago
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