Change of Scenery

Sand Ridge State Forest, Illinois

2022-05-14

So I had to move from the most visited state park in Illinois (Starved Rock State Park with over 2 million visitors annually) to Sand Ridge State Forest. I don’t know how many visitors this park gets, but when I called to try and make reservations the park superintendentt answered on the first ring. He said to his knowledge the campsites have never been completely full, and even though it was the weekend, it was not necessary to make a reservation.

But before I left I had to take one more hike to see and photograph another canyon/waterfall. Leaving very early, I once again had the place all to myself. LaSalle Canyon wound up being one of my favorites.

LaSalle Canyon proved a perfect place to eat breakfast and photograph

The 2 1/2 hour drive was relaxing and uneventful. I set my GPS to avoid highways so it took me through all of the rural parts of Illinois.

When I arrived I had the pick of the campsites as there was only one other camper. Still I picked the most secluded one just in case.

It’s so quiet I might just stay another day.

5 responses to “Change of Scenery”

Hi Peter, Mary grew up in southern Illinois. Her great grandparents owned a lot of what is now the Garden-of-the-Gods Park in the Shawnee Nat’l forest which is located in the southeast part of Illinois. She and her brothers spent a lot of the summers playing there and down around Roeselare. Depending on the rain, not as many waterfalls, but lots of interesting rock formations. Looks like you are having a great time!