Lebanon Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lebanon Park is a beautiful and historic park located in St.


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Summary

Clair County, Illinois. There are several good reasons to visit this park, including its scenic beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities. Some of the specific points of interest to see in Lebanon Park include its picturesque lake, historic cemetery, and the historic Mermaid House. Visitors to the park can also enjoy hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

Interesting facts about the area include its connection to Abraham Lincoln, who visited Lebanon Park in 1858 during his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Additionally, the park was once the site of a major Civil War encampment known as "Camp Joe Holt."

The best time of year to visit Lebanon Park depends on personal preferences. Summer is a popular time for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and picnicking, while fall offers beautiful foliage and cooler temperatures. Winter visitors can enjoy ice fishing and cross-country skiing, while spring brings blooming flowers and mild weather.

Overall, Lebanon Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy nature, history, and outdoor recreation in Illinois.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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