After my afternoon of hiking at Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Bryan and I realized we had hours before sunset. Not wanting to go back to the hotel, we were discussing what to do when we drove by Fort Massac State Park. We quickly pulled in, and the rest, they say, is history. Situated on the banks of the Ohio River, Fort Massac was originally built as a French Fort in 1757. The area was taken over by the British in 1763, and later by the Americans. The modern fort is a replica of the fort built on the property in 1802.
Faced with a choice of options, we weren’t sure what to do first. We decided to tour the fort, which contains two barracks, three block houses, officer quarters, well, stockade and a fraise fence. There’s also a visitor center and museum. I could almost hear the shouts of the long ago soldiers as we wandered through the buildings.
For anyone who is not in a historical frame of mind, there’s still plenty to do at Fort Massac. Having hiked that afternoon, we took the one mile Forest Watch Tree Identification Trail, with brochures on which trees to identify available in the visitor’s center. It’s a lovely shaded nature walk, perfect for a casual stroll. For the more ambitious, the 2.5 Hickory Nut Trail offers views of the Ohio River and the 8.7 mile George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail connects the towns of Metropolis and Brookport, with over four miles running through the park.
Fort Massac is one of those hidden gems, slightly off the beaten path. When we visited on a Thursday afternoon, there were only a few people in the park and a sense of tranquility abounded. If you enjoy nature photography, there’s an abundance of photo opportunities. plus three playgrounds to keep the kids happy while you’re snapping photos.
Have you visited Fort Massac Illinois? What is your favorite state park?
THIS LOOKS LIKE A WONDERFUL PLACE TO VISIT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO ILLINOIS BEFORE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
Those flowers are beautiful. I would love to travel here. Very peaceful.
I haven’t got the chance to visit the place but hopefully in the future – I would be given a chance to do so!
Honestly I never heard of this park until this blog so thanks for the introduction. I dont have a favorite state park either…I need to start visiting more places!
What a beautiful state park. I have never been here but would love to visit one day.
You know, I am an Illinois native and I have NEVER heard of this place. I’ll have to check it out!
I love reading about other’s travels. It gives me ideas of what I should visit in those cities. Thanks
Looks like you were there on a beautiful day! What fab pictures!
I have to admit, I had never heard of Fort Massac before. However, it looks like you had a wonderful and your pictures are beautiful.
This sounds like it’s something right up our alley of ‘things to do’ – Thank you for sharing – I love the history, the nature walk, and the photography possibilities – 🙂
There were some old forts where I grew up and it was always fun to visit and go exploring in them. Yours looks really interesting, too.
I have never visited there before. It looks like a great place though!
Sadly, I have not been to many national parks. But when I was in DC, I got one of those national parks books. This year, I hope to visit a few. I’ve never been to Illinois, but this looks like a part I should definitely visit.
It looks like a great place to visit. I live in Indiana, so I should map out how far this is and maybe plan on taking a trip there this summer!
It looks beautiful there. I have never been to Indiana but we have a ton of historical state parks in NJ.
Wow! This pictures are so amazing and touching. I’d love to go here one day.
This looks great for family. Love the pics/
I love history and especially going to the places where things used to happen. So I would be one of those in the historical frame of mind who would be left behind trying to imagine my self there. 🙂 Great scenery here too!
I live in Chicago and I’ve never been here! To be honest, I’ve never heard of it! Sounds like a fun trip!
I’ve been to Gurney and Chicago (in Illinois) and that’s it so far. We live close enough to go explore once or twice a year though. 🙂
What a great place to spend the day! Not only is it beautiful but the history is so interesting.
We have not been to Fort Massac, but I’m marking it on the list! I really want to get more local trips with my kids this spring/summer, and there’s so many places in the Midwest we could go see!
We’ve never been there before, but it looks neat. I love visiting state parks- I don’t know that I could pick a favorite!
I’ve never been to Illinois, but one of favorite places to visit as a family is Fort Knox State Park here in Maine. The kids love it no matter how old they get!
I bet Fort Massac is so fun to visit. I have always wanted to go to Indiana.
This looks like such a fun place to visit. I love the pretty little flowers!
Wow. How cool. I haven’t ever been there but I love this type of place. Reminds me of back home!
I have never visited, but totally want to. It sounds like so much fun. We have a couple beautiful state parks here in Texas, as well 🙂
I love doing this kinda stuff with my family, especially when we travel to Tennessee.
What a gorgeous place to visit. I miss the green so much
I have never been to Illnois. This looks like a wonderful place to hike and visit.
Seems like a really nice State Park. Another place I wouldn’t mind visiting someday.
I’ve yet to visit Fort Massac, maybe someday! It does look like a fun (and educational) family outing! My favorite state park is Acadia State Park in Maine…it’s really all about the ocean there!
I have been through Ill; but the only place I have stopped at is Chicago. This looks like a really cool place to visit. I’ve only been to Native American and Cowboy old west type forts down in the south.
This was obviously in the summer 🙂 i am from IL and never heard of this place, I will have to look for it on our next trip up there.
What a beautiful state park. I have never visited and would love to visit one day
I’ve not visited a state park in a while. Locally, ours are mostly hiking trails and forests.
That looks like such a beautiful place to visit. I think I could make it to Indiana!
What a beautiful place. I would love to visit here one day.
I haven’t visited any State Parks and the state I live in has quite a few. I drove through one just recently but didn’t take the time to actually stop and enjoy it.
We have lots of state parks, but they are just parks. The forts are historical landmarks and they are on their own site.
We have a couple of old Revolutionary War forts around here in New England and they are truly amazing to visit. So much history.