Home › Illinois › Charleston › Fox Ridge State Park
Fox Ridge State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 606 Google reviews · Running trail in Charleston, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Fox Ridge State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Scenic 2,064-acre park with hiking trails through wooded ridges & valleys, plus camping & fishing.
What runners say about Fox Ridge State Park
“Sites are very private, showers and toilets were clean.”
“Small pond for fishing which has a beautiful bridge that would be excellent for pictures.”
“Great place with clear walking trails, lots of activities and not crowded.”
“Beautiful woodlands with great trails for all levels of hikers.”
We spent Wednesday 8/24 - Sunday 8/28 at the park. It was awesome, great walking trails, and lots of pavement to walk on as well. Alice was a great camp host, and very accommodating, and welcoming.
Good place to go hiking through out the year. The hunting area isn’t near the hiking trails. You can do some small trails or a larger loop that is about 5.5 miles long. Some of the trails need a little work and to be cleaned but it was a nice day hike.
This is one of my favorite Illinois State Parks. The camp hosts are super nice and helpful. I like staying during the week, it’s almost always practically empty. There are awesome heavily wooded and beautiful trails. The campsites are spacious, level with electric 30 amp hookup, fire pits and picnic tables.
I’ve been coming here for almost 20 years and I love this place. The campground is great and the sites are private and the hiking trails are always good.
Trail conditions & character
“Small pond for fishing which has a beautiful bridge that would be excellent for pictures.”
“Bobwhite is right next to a little fishing pond and shaded by a beautiful forest.”
“Note : NO BATHROOM IN THE CABIN 😬 the shower house is the closest bathroom.”
“Great place with clear walking trails, lots of activities and not crowded.”
“We would have reserved one of these, but they don't allow dogs.”
Plan your run at Fox Ridge State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitednr.illinois.gov
- Phone(217) 345-6416
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Charleston
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Shake Your Trail Feather Trail Run
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
Warbler Ridge Conservation Area: North Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 15 reviews
Woodyard Conservation Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 49 reviews
Kid-friendly recreation area featuring well-kept hiking trails, a lake and a butterfly garden.
Morton Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 325 reviews
Community park featuring a playground, baseball diamond, picnic pavilion & public restrooms.
Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail Eastern Terminus
4.5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews