Illinois’ oldest state park sits on an Ohio River bluff and it’s still free to walk in

It’s been drawing visitors since 1908

Fort Massac State Park holds a title no other park in Illinois can claim. It opened in 1908, making it the oldest state park in the state.

You’ll find it on the southern tip of Illinois in the town of Metropolis, spread across nearly 1,500 acres on a bluff above the Ohio River.

There’s no entrance fee, so you can show up any day without pulling out your wallet. But the history here goes back a lot further than 1908, and the layers run deep.

Three nations built forts on this same ground

The French got here first. They built Fort de l’Ascension on this bluff in 1757, and you can still see the outline of that original fort marked on the ground today.

Decades later, President George Washington ordered the fort rebuilt in 1794 under the American flag. Then the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 shook the whole region and damaged the fort badly.

By 1814, the U.S. Army packed up and left for good. Several forts rose and fell on this one spot over the years.

The replica fort is closed, but the grounds are wide open

Here’s what you need to know before you go. The park’s replica of the 1802 American fort is closed right now for structural repairs.

You can still walk the grounds and see it from the outside, but you can’t go in. Everything else in the park stays open, from the trails to the campground to the river.

Call the park office before your trip to check on the latest status, so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

Arrowheads and old guns fill the visitor center

Start your visit at the visitor center near the fort area. Inside, a small museum holds artifacts pulled straight from the old fort site.

You’ll see old guns, war uniforms, arrowheads, and Native American items on display behind glass. A short video walks you through the fort’s history and how different groups used it over the centuries.

It puts everything you’re about to walk through into context, and it only takes a few minutes.

Identify trees on the one-mile Drouillard Creek loop

The Drouillard Creek Trail is a one-mile loop that winds through grassy woods near the fort. Signs along the path help you identify the trees as you go, so grab a brochure at the visitor center before you start.

The trail is flat, short, and easy enough for all ages.

If you’ve got young kids or just want a quick walk without breaking a sweat, this is the one to pick. You’ll be done in about 30 minutes.

Walk past a cemetery and the Ohio River on one trail

The Hickory Nut Ridge Trail stretches 2.5 miles, and visitors who skip it tend to regret it.

The path runs alongside the Ohio River through wooded sections that block out everything but the sound of water and birds. Partway through, you pass a historic cemetery tucked into the trees.

Some of the best river views in the entire park sit along this trail. Take your time with it.

The scenery changes with every turn.

Bike 8.7 miles from Metropolis to Brookport

The George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail gives you 8.7 miles of pavement connecting Metropolis and Brookport through Massac County. About four miles of it run right through Fort Massac State Park.

Most of the route is a dedicated bike path, with only a small section of shared roadway. You stay away from fast traffic and get scenic Ohio River views the whole way.

Bring your bike or walk it. Either way, you’re right along the water.

Cast a line for catfish right from the park

Anglers fish the Ohio River without ever leaving the park grounds. Catfish, bass, crappie, carp, and bullhead all come out of these waters.

A boat dock and launch ramp give you easy access if you want to get out on the river itself.

You’ll need a valid fishing license, and keep in mind that reciprocal Illinois-Kentucky licensing rules apply on the main stem of the Ohio River. Check the current regulations before you drop a line.

Fifty shaded campsites stay open all year

The campground has 50 Class A sites with electric hookups, showers, fire pits, and picnic tables. Tent camping and a separate group campground are also available if you’re traveling with a bigger crew.

Shade covers the whole area, and the campground stays open year round, so you’re not locked into a summer-only window.

Make reservations through the state’s booking system and check for first-come, first-served availability before you head down.

Disc golf, playgrounds, and covered shelters fill the day

If you’re looking for a low-cost day out with the family, the park delivers. Picnic tables, grills, and drinking water are spread across the grounds.

Three playgrounds give kids room to burn off energy while you set up lunch. Four covered shelters are available, and you can reserve some of them ahead of time.

There’s also an 18-hole disc golf course laid out through the park. Bring your own discs and make a morning of it.

Hundreds of reenactors take over every October

Each October, the Fort Massac Encampment brings the park’s history to life. This festival has run every year since 1974.

Hundreds of costumed reenactors show up as explorers, traders, settlers, and soldiers. You’ll watch mock battles, marching drills, and craft demonstrations spread across the grounds.

Period-style food, live music, and family activities round out the day. If you can time your visit for the encampment, you’ll see the park at its loudest and most packed.

Early mornings bring deer, hawks, and fog on the river

Beyond the history and the trails, the park is a solid spot for wildlife.

Birders come for warblers and waterfowl along the paths, and visitors have reported deer, owls, and hawks moving through the trees. Early morning is the best time.

The river is still, the light is soft, and fog sometimes sits right on the water. Bring a camera if you’re into that sort of thing.

The riverside setting gives you shots you won’t get from the road.

Explore Fort Massac State Park in Illinois

You can walk the same bluff where French soldiers built a fort in 1757, fish the Ohio River from the bank, and camp under shade trees all in one visit.

Fort Massac State Park sits at 1308 E. 5th St. in Metropolis, Illinois. There’s no entrance fee.

Hours for the park, visitor center, and fort area can change, so check with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources before you go. Show up early and give yourself the full day.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

Read more from this brand:

• This forgotten corner of Illinois has bluffs, ravines, and cold canyon springs
• The NAACP’s roots: how a race riot in Illinois galvanized a movement
• America’s most surprising presidential landmark is an obscure river in Illinois