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Forest Glen Preserve (Vermilion County Park)
Overview
Forest Glen Preserve is a premier outdoor destination managed by the Vermilion County Conservation District. Spanning over 1,800 acres along the Vermilion River, this park is widely regarded as one of the best spots for nature lovers in East Central Illinois. It offers a peaceful forest setting that balances active recreation with focused conservation efforts. Whether you are looking to hike through diverse ecosystems or enjoy a quiet night under the stars, this preserve provides a rustic yet well-maintained escape for RV travelers seeking a genuine connection with the outdoors.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just southeast of Westville, IL, the park’s location is defined by its varied and dramatic topography. The preserve sits along the Vermilion River, featuring steep ravines, lush meadows, and a rare beech-maple forest. The surroundings feel secluded and are far removed from the noise of major highways, providing a quiet sanctuary for visitors. Travelers will appreciate the scenic landscapes that transition from restored tallgrass prairies to dense woodlands, making the drive into the park as visually rewarding as the stay itself.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground at Forest Glen is designed for those who prefer a natural environment over a resort-style layout. It features a 42-unit family campground equipped with electric hookups, though it is important to note that sites do not offer individual water or sewer connections. To accommodate needs, the park provides a dump station, a central water fill, and a shower house. Beyond the campsites, the park boasts a 72-foot observation tower providing panoramic views of the river valley and a comprehensive nature center that hosts educational exhibits for all ages.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities, most notably the 11-mile River to River Trail, which challenges hikers with rugged terrain and beautiful vistas. For a more relaxed experience, the Gannett Education Center and the restored pioneer homestead offer a glimpse into local history and ecology. Fishing is a popular pastime along the riverbanks, and the Doris L. Westfall Nature Preserve within the park provides a stunning display of native wildflowers. Nearby, the city of Danville offers additional dining and shopping options for those needing to restock supplies during their trip.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal fit for nature photographers and hikers who prioritize access to trails and wildlife over luxury amenities. It is a wonderful choice for families who enjoy traditional camping activities like birdwatching and exploring nature centers. Because many sites are tucked into the woods, it appeals most to RVers with mid-sized rigs or vans looking for a quiet, scenic retreat. If you value tranquility, diverse plant life, and the simplicity of a well-managed county park, Forest Glen Preserve is a must-visit destination.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Danielle Cozzola
This is a beautiful nature preserve in the middle of nowhere. I enjoyed each and every trail I explored! The park is well maintained and the signage is visible and easy to read. There are some great features that are not found at every narure preserve: Bathrooms Various hiking trails Shelters Picnic areas Grills An observation tower River access Plenty of parking Good signage Visited 8/12/2025.
Becky Cotton
The grounds are beautiful but they really need to work on the bathrooms and showers, the water was scolding hot and they refused to turn it down, you have no way to control it... It just comes out hot. No toilet paper quite a few times. They tend to pick out campers they don't like and quote the rules, but let others do what they want. And finally, if you don't burn all of your wood... They take it and RESALE it to others campers.
Suzi Scholtz
Lovely campground. Electrical hook-ups and water close by. We were able to top-up our on- board water tank at our site with just two short hoses. Handy dump station on the way out. Warning: we had NO cell service with Verizon. This location is about 7 miles off of a Stare highway on a narrow road that is tricky at night. Be sure you have all provisions before you head out there. Because we were in our motorhome and needed to go back into town every day, we decided not to go back for our 3rd night. Driving out in the dark and getting parked late at night was not our cup of tea. Still, recommend and we would stay here again. Family and dog friendly!
Nish
Good customer service and no entrance fee when I visited in March 2024. Beautiful place. Vermillion river area is calm and has pretty colours. Pretty Interbedded graywackes and shale formation. Also saw sap collection and that was cool. It was a lovely experience.
David Breese
Great, 10-11 mile loop trail for beginner backpackers like me and my 10 yo son. Also perfect for experienced hikers looking for a nice day hike. Well marked and maintained trail with plenty of small inclines/declines to get your heart rate up. Campground was practically empty when we went (early May). Highly recommend the observation tower. Great views! We will be back for sure
Jessica Long
This was a nice backpacking trail. It was a mix of easy and moderate hiking with the latter portion following East Camp being the most moderate. We never found the visitor center, but we’re able to easily find the start of the river ridge backpacking trail. There were nice laminated placards to put in your car window for those folks who pre-planned to backpack. The red trail marks and arrows are pretty easy to find as were the junctions. Only issue we had was at the crossroads of Old Barn Trail and Deer crossing, but we figured it out pretty easily with the map. Note—the map is not really to scale, but is otherwise helpful. The Group camp area is nice and spacious and accessible via car. The river is seen along the final leg to the East Camp. There is one trail to access it. The East Camp has 5 sites and an outhouse. They are nicely space and have a picnic table and a fire pit. Overall, the woods were quite beautiful. Our trekking poles came in very handy with some of the hills at the end. It was nice to over along the ridge, but also be in the valleys. Would highly recommend for first time backpacking/campers. A nice one to start with. You can also fish at the pond.
anne e mrozek
Beautiful preserve with a great paved handicapped trail for wheelchairs winding through the forest of fall color. Other trails are lovely too. I tried three. I took on the observation tower but didn't quite make it beyond the last set of stairs with nothing under them. The wooden stair boards on the tower are showing wear and some are spongy, adding an extra level of anxiety for those who don't do heights easily.
Carollia
Lovely beech forest with some challenging trails with steep steps and other broad flat paths. My group enjoyed climbing the observation tower even though is a lot of stairs. Some spots hold a large number of bird species.