Our Illinois State Park Challenge
Hidden Springs State Forest was our 5th Illinois State area visited during our Illinois State Park Challenge that we began in 2022. Our first couple visits to this state forest were confusing to say the least. Every time I put Hidden Spring State Forest into my GPS it would bring us to a different parking area. After studying the map for a bit, I realized the state forest runs along a waterway. Therefore, there are multiple sections that are accessed from different roads. Since the state forest is out in the middle of nowhere and you will be cruising on country roads to access the different areas. Definitely check out the map before going. I’ll tell you below my favorite areas to visit!
Hidden History
The forest is named after the 7 Springs located within it. Two springs, Rocky Springs & Quicksand Springs are accessible from trails. The other springs are hidden among the forest, marked by seeps, bogs and marshlands. These springs once provided fresh water to Native Americans and early settlers, as evidence by the many artifacts that have been found in the area. Since many of the springs are now covered with earth and vegetation there is an abundance of flora and wildlife that call this area at home.
Scenic Illinois Forestry
Hidden Springs State Forest is home to a wide variety of native trees including many species of oaks, Ash, Hickory, Maples, Black Walnut, Sycamore and Cottonwoods. White pine and Scotch Pine seed orchards are located throughout the property. These orchards make beautiful views while hiking, as well as provide seeds for use at the state tree nurseries. The management of these trees and others is done to learn desired thinning, and pruning processes, and to gain knowledge about proper growing of hardwoods, such as oaks and black walnuts. There are six experimental burn plots to show the effects of prescribed fire in wooded areas. Much of the area when first acquired showed effects of erosion. Through restoration, terracing, grass seeding, sodding and toe wall construction done by conservation services, much of the area has been stabilized.
Ponds and Picnicking
There are five ponds located throughout the property. The prairie pond and park pond is accessed through the Rolling Meadows picnic area. The white oaks pond and sassafras pond have their own parking lot access. It is easy to walk the distance between these two ponds. The Hickory Ridge pond and has its own parking and is also accessible off the oak ridge hiking trail. All of the ponds are stocked with ass, bluegill, readier, and channel catfish. It’s the perfect spot to teach kids how to fish!
Rolling Meadows Picnic Area
This area of Hidden Springs is our favorite spot. The picnic area includes a shelter with picnic tables, 2 ponds, an adorable little playground, a sand volleyball court, a small baseball/kickball field and a hiking trail.
The prairie pond is one of my favorite places to visit in the spring. The entire pond is outlined with beautiful purple irises and it’s full of frogs and tadpoles. My kids love this area for the fun and unique playground. A Playground is always a bonus after hiking with kids. The rolling Meadows picnic area also has accessible picnic tables and handicap accessible lookouts.
Hiking Trails
Hidden Springs has hiking trails for everyone to enjoy. Our favorite trail, the Possum Hollow nature trail, goes from the Rolling Meadows picnic area to the Park Pond. Because it is only 3/4 of a mile, its a great trail for kids. This trail connects the prairie pond to the park pond. In between the ponds you will walk through one of the pine seed orchards. The Possum Hollow trail also connects to the campground. You are sure to see lots of wildlife and native plants along this trail. If you forage this trail always has a lot of wild onion/wild garlic in the spring.
If you want a little more distance, the rocky spring trail is 3 miles long. The big tree Trail is only 1 mile in length, but features a sycamore tree that is 78 inches in diameter, which is one of the largest sycamores in Illinois. If you want to get off the beaten path, there are 17 miles fire lanes that provide access to remote areas of the forest. Here you will find for those hidden Springs the park is named for.
Camping
Camping is available at hidden Springs at Possum Creek Campground and Shady Grove youth group campground. Possum Creek Campground is a class C campground with drinking water, restrooms, disposal, stations, pedestal, stoves, and fire rings. In the times that we have visited, the campground has never been very busy. If you want a peaceful, quiet, and beautiful camping experience, this is probably the place you want to go. There are also playgrounds in the campground area.
Near By Attractions
Hidden Springs state forest is just 18 minutes south of the town of Shelbyville and Lake Shelbyville. I don’t think we have ever visited without going to Iced in Shelbyville to eat afterwards. I after our winter hike, I had a delicious gingerbread chai tea that warm to be right up. 90% of the time we eat lunch there I get a turkey Apple cheddar panini. They are so good! My kids love to go there because they have the best sweet treats! I between Hidden Springs and Iced is the Lake Shelbyville Dam visitor center. If you are out adventuring with kids, it’s definitely worth checking out!
A quiet, hidden adventure spot
We have been to hidden Spring State Park a dozen or so times over the last few years. Every time we visit we are one of only a few other visitors, if any others at all. It’s always quiet and peaceful and beautiful. Each visit, no matter the season, we experience and learn about wildlife there. Tadpoles, tads and frogs teach us about life cycles in the spring. Bobcat, raccoon and deer prints in the snow showed us what animals might be sharing the forest. When you do visit be sure to respect the serene nature here and leave no trace!
