Faries Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Faries Park is a popular recreational area located in Decatur, Illinois.
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Summary
It covers an area of 200 acres and offers a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and picnicking. One of the biggest draws of the park is Lake Decatur, which is a 2,800-acre reservoir that offers excellent fishing opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers.
Other points of interest in the park include the Rock Springs Nature Center, which features interactive exhibits and educational programs about the local flora and fauna. There are also several hiking and biking trails that wind through the wooded areas and around the lake, providing visitors with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former strip mine that was transformed into a recreational area, as well as its designation as an important birding area. Visitors can spot a variety of species throughout the year, including bald eagles, osprey, and great blue herons.
The best time of year to visit Faries Park is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities and events throughout the seasons.
Overall, Faries Park is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers looking for a peaceful retreat in the heart of Illinois.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Faries Park
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ski club campground
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Spitler Group Camp
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