Summary
The park is a recreation of the village of New Salem, where Abraham Lincoln lived as a young man and began his political career. The park features reconstructed log cabins, a working blacksmith shop, a grist mill, and various other historic buildings.
Visitors to Lincoln's New Salem State Park can explore the recreated village and learn about life in the mid-1800s. The park also offers hiking and biking trails, camping facilities, and picnicking areas.
Some specific points of interest to see at Lincoln's New Salem State Park include the restored homes of historic figures such as the Rutledge family and Dr. John Allen, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, and the Berry-Lincoln Store.
Interesting facts about the area include that New Salem was originally founded as a mill town in 1828 and that Abraham Lincoln ran unsuccessfully for the Illinois General Assembly in 1832. The village was abandoned by the mid-1840s, and the reconstruction of the site began in the early 1930s through the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
The best time of year to visit Lincoln's New Salem State Park is during the summer months when the park's facilities and programs are available. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy hiking and camping during the fall and spring months.
In conclusion, Lincoln's New Salem State Park is a unique and educational destination that offers visitors a glimpse into the life of Abraham Lincoln and the early settlers of Illinois. With its historic buildings, scenic trails, and camping facilities, the park is a great place to spend a day or a weekend exploring the past and enjoying the great outdoors.
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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.
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