🌤 Weather at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35–77 °F | 63–88 °F | 36–81 °F | 23–46 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Flora 5 NW, 11 mi away, elevation 500 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🌲 Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area — A 3,103-acre Illinois DNR recreation area in Marion County, northeast of Salem, around a 585-acre lake with a sand beach, a marina, equestrian trails and an Oak Ridge campground.
Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area lies in Marion County, Illinois, about 15 miles northeast of Salem, with the address 6924 Omega Rd. in Kinmundy. Illinois DNR says the area started as 20 acres and a two-acre pond in 1959, and additions have brought it to 3,103 acres, of which 1,150 acres are oak and hickory forest around a large lake. The park’s coordinates are 38.7297, -88.7689.
The lake was completed in 1963 and has 18 miles of shoreline. The area is named for natural scientist Stephen Alfred Forbes, whose more than 400 scientific titles are still used in the study of aquatic biology, ornithology, ichthyology and ecology.
Below the dam, the Sam Parr Biological Station, completed in 1966, is used by the Illinois Natural History Survey and is open to visitors Monday through Friday; tours can be arranged by calling 618-245-6348.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 6924 Omega Rd., Kinmundy, IL 62854 (Marion County) |
| Size | 3,103 acres, including a 585-acre lake (Illinois DNR) |
| Facilities | Restaurant and marina with 80 boat slips, fuel dock and boat rental, visitor center, Rocky Point Beach, picnic areas with shelters, boat ramps, 15-mile horse trail, four nature trails |
| Camping | Oak Ridge Campground with 115 shaded sites (52 reservable online), 10 walk-in sites, a rent-a-campsite cabin, a 21-site equestrian campground and a youth group camp; reservations through ExploreMoreIL |
| Entrance fee | Free entry; the Rocky Point swimming beach costs $2 per person per day |
| Phone | 618-547-3381 |
Things to Do
- Fish the lake, which Illinois DNR says is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, crappie, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass and walleye-sauger hybrids. Boston Pond has trout fishing in spring and fall, and Marlow Pond and Wilson Pond are also open.
- Launch a boat from the ramps; there is no horsepower limit, and buoys mark sections for water skiing and no-wake speeds. The concession rents fishing boats and kayaks.
- Swim at the 200-foot sand beach at Rocky Point. Swimming is prohibited at all other areas of the lake.
- Hike the 2.5-mile Oak Ridge Trail, the half-mile Marlow Pond Trail, the quarter-mile Henneman Trail to an early settlement cemetery, or the quarter-mile Phillips Creek Trail with access to the lake.
- Ride the 15-mile horse trail around the lake, which Illinois DNR lists as open from May 15 to November 1.
- Picnic at Lookout Point, Stage Coach Trail, Black Oak, Sassafras, White Oak, Whippoorwill or Circle Drive. Circle Drive has an open area for softball or volleyball.
- Hunt on over 2,000 acres, including dove, squirrel, quail, rabbit, turkey and deer (bow only).
Visitor Tips
- Reserve campsites, the rent-a-campsite cabin and shelters at Circle Drive, Sassafras and Stagecoach Trail through ExploreMoreIL.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Rocky Point area, and swimming from boats is prohibited.
- Dock surfaces can be slippery when wet or icy.
- Call the restaurant and marina concession at 618-547-9001 for bait, firewood, camp store items and kayak rental.
- The equestrian campground is one mile east of Omega.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area?
Yes. Illinois DNR lists Oak Ridge Campground with 115 shaded sites with electricity and water, 10 walk-in sites, a rent-a-campsite cabin and a 21-site equestrian campground, with reservations through ExploreMoreIL.
Is there a fee to swim?
Illinois DNR lists a $2.00 per person per day fee to use the beach facilities at Rocky Point; entry to the recreation area itself is free.
Can I ride horses here?
Yes. A 15-mile horse trail circles the lake and is listed by Illinois DNR as open from May 15 to November 1, with a 21-site campground with electricity nearby.
Nearby Attractions
The closest parks and sites to Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area on this site are Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, Carlyle Lake (Illinois) and Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (within about an hour’s drive) and Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site (within about an hour’s drive).
🌲 Visit Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area
Current status, alerts and directions from Illinois DNR.
Sources: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) park pages; U.S. Census Bureau geocoder (county). As of October 2026.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Illinois state parks and on trails as long as they are leashed at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required at all times; state code caps leash length at 10 feet
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in areas posted 'NO PETS', reserved for beach areas, concession areas and crowded campground/picnic areas (e.g. no dogs on the beach at Illinois Beach State Park)
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in campground cabins
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Leash rule exceptions for hunting dogs, field trials and dog training areas; pets must not be left unattended
Are dogs allowed at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area?
Pets are allowed in Illinois state parks and on trails as long as they are leashed at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dnr.illinois.gov. More: Illinois state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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