Red Hills State Park
Perched atop the highest ground between St. Louis and Cincinnati, Red Hills State Park rises from the rolling countryside of Lawrence County in southeastern Illinois. Established in 1953 after the damming of Muddy Creek created the scenic 40-acre Red Hills Lake, this 967-acre park blends rugged ravines, dense upland forest, and open meadows into one of the state’s most rewarding recreational destinations.
Landscape and Natural Setting
The park’s terrain is defined by deeply eroded ravines carved into glacial till and sandstone bedrock, creating a hilly topography unusual for central Illinois. Mixed hardwood forest — dominated by oaks, hickories, and sugar maples — blankets the hillsides, while wildflower meadows open up along ridge lines. The 40-acre Red Hills Lake sits at the heart of the property, its wooded shoreline providing excellent habitat for wading birds, kingfishers, and nesting wood ducks. Spring brings carpets of woodland wildflowers including trillium, bloodroot, and Virginia bluebells, while autumn transforms the canopy into brilliant shades of crimson and gold.
Hiking and Trail System
Red Hills offers approximately 10 miles of trails winding through its varied terrain. The Riverview Trail follows the lakeshore before ascending through dense forest to ridgetop overlooks. The Pine Ridge Trail passes through a planted pine grove and descends into a series of steep ravines — one of the most scenic segments in the park. Multi-use trails on the south side accommodate horseback riders and mountain bikers, while a short interpretive nature trail near the campground introduces visitors to the local flora and geology through informational signage.
Camping and Overnight Stays
The park’s campground features over 100 Class A sites with electric hookups, modern restrooms with showers, and a sanitary dump station. A separate primitive tent camping area offers a more secluded experience, while a rent-a-camp cabin provides an option for those who want to sleep under a roof without bringing their own gear. An equestrian campground with hitching posts serves riders using the multi-use trail system. Reservations can be made through the ExploreMoreIL™ system.
Fishing and Boating
Red Hills Lake supports healthy populations of largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and redear sunfish. A concrete boat launch and fishing dock provide easy access, though motors are limited to electric trolling only. Bank fishing is productive along the dam and at several accessible shoreline points. The lake’s relatively small size and protected coves make it particularly well-suited for kayaking and canoeing.
Picnicking and Day Use
Shaded picnic areas with tables, grills, and reservable shelters dot the lakeshore and hilltops. A large playground near the main shelter makes Red Hills a popular choice for family outings. The park remains open year-round, with winter visitors enjoying cross-country skiing on the trail system and ice fishing on the lake when conditions permit.
Visitor Information
Red Hills State Park is located on U.S. Route 50 east of Olney in Lawrence County. The park office can be reached at (618) 936-2469. Admission is free. The campground and trails are open year-round, though some seasonal amenities may have limited availability during winter months.
Wildlife & Nature
Red Hills State Park — named for the iron-rich red clay soil of southeastern Illinois — provides recreation on a 40-acre lake surrounded by oak-hickory forest. The park’s distinctive red soil reveals the geological history of this region — iron oxides concentrated in the ancient weathered landscape give the hills their characteristic color. The park contains a monument marking the route of the Lincoln National Memorial Highway. The forest supports diverse breeding songbirds — summer tanagers (the only entirely red bird in North America), Kentucky warblers, and yellow-billed cuckoos. White-tailed deer, eastern cottontail rabbits, and gray squirrels are abundant. The lake supports bass and bluegill. Box turtles — with their distinctive hinged shell that closes completely — navigate the leaf litter.
Nearby Attractions
Lawrenceville is the county seat of Lawrence County. Beall Woods State Park — with its virgin old-growth forest — is 15 miles south. George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Vincennes (Indiana) — across the Wabash River — commemorates the 1779 frontier campaign. Lincoln Trail State Park traces the Lincoln family migration route. Crawford County State Fish and Wildlife Area provides hunting and fishing. Wabash River provides canoeing along the state line.
