Fort Massac State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Massac State Park is a historic site located in Illinois, not Wisconsin.
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Summary
The park is situated at the southern tip of Illinois, where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers meet. It was originally a French fortification built in 1757, later taken over by the British and then the Americans in the 19th century. Today, the park offers visitors a chance to explore the reconstructed fort, learn about the history of the area, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and picnicking.
Some specific points of interest to see at Fort Massac State Park include the reconstructed fort, which features a visitor center with exhibits and artifacts, as well as living history demonstrations during the summer months. The park also has a nature trail, a picnic area, and a campground with both RV and tent sites.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once a bustling trading post and military outpost, and that it played a significant role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkey, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Fort Massac State Park is during the summer months when the living history demonstrations are taking place, and the weather is mild for outdoor activities. However, visitors can also enjoy the fall foliage and winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
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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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