Dixon Springs State Park

Introduction of Dixon Springs State Park

Dixon Springs State Park, located in the Illinois Shawnee Hills, is a lovely state park ideal for RV campers looking for a relaxing getaway. The park is unique in that it is located on a massive block of rock that was dropped 200 feet by a fault that runs northwesterly across Pope County. Various Native American tribes lived in the area surrounding the park until the early 1830s. Dixon Springs was named after William Dixon, one of the first white settlers in the area in 1848. Following the construction of the first house, a small community developed that included a general store, blacksmith shop, post office, and several churches. The park first opened its doors in 1946.

The park’s geography ranges from hilly terrain with cascading waterfalls to open forests with deer, squirrel, rabbit, groundhog, and fox among the trees. Fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, and swimming are among the recreational activities available at Dixon Springs State Park. Dixon Springs State Park’s campground is very charming, with 12 RV-friendly campsites to choose from. Dixon Springs State Park’s RV friendly camping areas are all pet friendly and have 30 amp electric connections. Dixon Springs State Park’s peak season lasts from early April to the end of October.

Dixon Springs State Park Camping

Dixon Springs State Park Campground is an example of a small campground that can be a hidden gem. There are a total of 12 RV-friendly camping spots available. All of the sites have 30 amp electrical service and are pet friendly. The sites are level, and the campground is kept in excellent condition all year. It has a reputation for being a lovely place to stay, so it is definitely worth a look. Because the campground is so small, you will have little to no trouble with noise, which can be an issue for some campers in larger parks.

Dixon Springs State Park also has a toilet block, showers, a dump station, water collection points, and volleyball and basketball courts. Cell phone reception should be available on all networks within the park. Dixon Springs State Park encourages reservations, and the maximum length of stay from May 1st to September 30th is 14 nights in any 30 day period.

Dixon Springs State Park Activities

Fishing

There are a few different fishing opportunities available for fishing enthusiasts who want to cast a line while visiting the park. The majority of the fishing spots are in ponds, such as Hidden Springs, which has five stocked fishing ponds. Hickory Ridge Pond and Prairie Pond are also open for fishing and are accessible by vehicle. All of the ponds are stocked with bass, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish.

Picnicking

During the summer, Dixon Springs State Park is a great place to relax and have a picnic. There are plenty of picnic tables for you to enjoy throughout the park, including some with outdoor stoves in three different shaded picnic areas. There is also a picnic shelter, playgrounds, parking areas, and drinking water for larger groups who are enjoying what the park has to offer.

Hunting

The 240-acre portion of Dixon Springs State Park containing the site headquarters, Possum Creek Campground, and Rolling Meadows Picnic Area is off limits to firearm and archery hunting. Deer, rabbit, fox, and squirrel hunting are all popular. For each hunting trip, hunters must complete their hunter survey cards. If you have any questions about hunting regulations, please contact the forest superintendent. The site office has fact sheets, maps, regulations, and directions.

Hiking

Hiking enthusiasts visiting Dixon Springs State Park will find two trails to explore and adventure on. The two trails are about two and a quarter miles long in total. The larger of the two trails is a self-guided one-and-a-quarter-mile nature trail, while the smaller trail winds through Ghost Dance Canyon. The Canyon is stunning and somewhat of a hidden gem. Because it is relatively short, it is also an excellent family hike.

Birding

Birding is a fantastic, low-cost activity that anyone can do and enjoy at any time of year. The park offers excellent birdwatching opportunities throughout the year. We recommend going birding in Dixon Springs State Park early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Forest species such as woodpeckers, flycatchers, thrushers, vieros, and tanagers are common in Dixon Springs State Park.

Dixon Springs State Park Location

Dixon Springs State Park is in Pope County, Illinois, which is in the southern part of the state. The park is located near the Missouri and Kentucky borders, about 100 miles from Nashville. Dixon Springs State Park is easy to find and can be reached via IL-145 or IL-146. Reevesville, Glendale, Golconda, and Vienna are just a few of the small towns near the park. Evansville, Indiana and Clarksville, Tennessee are the closest major cities to the park.
The terrain leading up to and around the park is very straightforward.The roads are mostly flat and straight, and RVs up to the 40-foot length limit imposed by the park should have no trouble getting there. During the winter, the park is known to be in an area prone to winter storms. If you plan to visit the park during the winter, make sure to call ahead to ensure that it is still open.

Public Transport

Unfortunately, there are no public transportation options to Dixon Springs State Park.