Frank Holten State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Frank Holten State Park is a small park located in East St.


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Summary

Louis, Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. The park is known for its scenic views, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities.

One of the main reasons to visit Frank Holten State Park is the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in a natural setting. The park's trails wind through forests and meadows, offering visitors a chance to explore the area's flora and fauna. Fishing is also a popular activity at the park, with catfish, bass, and bluegill caught regularly in the lake.

Specific points of interest to see at the park include the lake itself, which is surrounded by a picnic area and playgrounds. The park also offers a variety of amenities, including boat rentals, showers, and restrooms.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the park is named after Frank Holten, a prominent African American community leader who served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. The park was also once the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

The best time of year to visit Frank Holten State Park depends on personal preference. Spring and fall are popular times to visit, as the weather is mild and the foliage is colorful. Summer is also a good time to visit, as the lake is a popular spot for swimming and boating. However, the park can be crowded during peak season, so visitors may want to plan their trip accordingly.

       

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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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