Randolph County State Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Kaskaskia Bottomlands — Recreation area in the Kaskaskia River bottomlands — near Illinois’s first state capital and the only part of Illinois west of the Mississippi
Randolph County State Recreation Area provides outdoor recreation in the Kaskaskia River bottomlands near Chester — home of E.C. Segar, creator of Popeye the Sailor Man! Chester’s riverfront features a Popeye statue and museum. More significantly, the nearby town of Kaskaskia was Illinois’s first state capital (1818–1820) until the capital moved to Vandalia. In 1881, a catastrophic Mississippi River flood destroyed old Kaskaskia and shifted the river channel, stranding the townsite on the Missouri side — making it the only part of Illinois west of the Mississippi.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Randolph County, IL |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Fun Fact | Popeye creator was from here! |
| History | First state capital + wrong side of Mississippi! |
About Randolph County SRA
Randolph County State Recreation Area in southwestern Illinois provides fishing and recreation around a 79-acre lake surrounded by rolling hills and forest. The area sits in the Illinois Ozarks — a region of surprising hills and forests in a state known for flat prairies. The wooded setting offers a change of scenery from the typical Illinois landscape.
Things to Do
Fishing for bass, catfish, and bluegill, camping (54 sites), hiking through the hilly Ozark terrain, picnicking, and hunting (seasonal). The Illinois Ozark setting is unexpectedly scenic.
Insider Tips
Southern Illinois recreation: Randolph County RA provides fishing and camping in the Kaskaskia River valley. Pro tip: The area is near the Fort Kaskaskia SHS — climb the overlook for views of the Mississippi River valley and the site of old Kaskaskia. American Bottoms: The rich Mississippi River bottomland in this region supported the Cahokia civilization and later French colonial agriculture.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Fishing and camping. Fall: Waterfowl migration on the Mississippi. Spring: Wildflowers and migrating warblers. Winter: Eagle watching on the Mississippi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the American Bottoms?
The American Bottom is the wide Mississippi River floodplain in southwestern Illinois — some of the richest agricultural land in the US. This fertility supported Cahokia (the largest pre-Columbian city in North America) and later attracted French, British, and American settlers. The bottomland remains highly productive farmland today.
Wildlife & Nature
Randolph County State Recreation Area provides outdoor access in the Mississippi River bluffs of southwestern Illinois — a region steeped in French colonial history. Kaskaskia — the first state capital of Illinois (1818-1820) — lies nearby, now a ghost town repeatedly flooded by the Mississippi. The bluffs and bottomlands support diverse wildlife. Turkey vultures — with 6-foot wingspans — ride thermal updrafts along the limestone bluffs. Cooper’s hawks hunt in the forest. White-tailed deer are the primary game species. The Mississippi River bottomlands provide critical habitat for migrating waterfowl. Channel catfish and flathead catfish inhabit the river. Box turtles are common in the upland forests.
Nearby Attractions
Fort de Chartres State Historic Site preserves the most substantial French colonial fortification in the Mississippi Valley (1720-1765). Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site preserves the mansion of Illinois’ first lieutenant governor. Chester — birthplace of Popeye the Sailor Man (creator E.C. Segar’s hometown) — has a Popeye statue. Prairie du Rocher retains French colonial character. Modoc Rock Shelter preserves 8,000 years of human habitation. Ste. Genevieve (Missouri) is a French colonial National Historical Park.
⚓ Visit Randolph County SRA
Popeye’s birthplace + IL’s first capital + west of the Mississippi!
