Many thanks to Tim Guinan for review and signed approval of this Geocache. (Site Superintendent, Beaver Dam State Park, 14548 Beaver Dam Lane, Plainview, Il 62640). (217-854-8020).
Located in Macoupin County 7 miles southwest of Carlinville and situated in an oak/hickory woodland, Beaver Dam State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities on its 750 acres. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, and tent and trailer camping are among the most popular activities. Although beavers are virtually gone from this area, the park is named for a beaver dam that created its lake.
The state park centers on the 59-acre Beaver Dam Lake, an artificial reservoir which was created by a private Carlinville fishing club in the 1890s. The club later became a private resort which catered to visitors who arrived via the adjacent Chicago and Alton Railroad. During the Great Depression, the resort failed. The state of Illinois purchased the lake and some adjacent property in 1947. Additional land purchases have created the present-day Beaver Dam State Park.
The area has a total of 8 miles of hiking trails within the park. The reservoir and park drain into a tributary of Macoupin Creek.
Start geocache path behind the restaurant. Hiking trail is well maintained and fairly easy but may be unlevel, muddy and/or slippery when wet. Watch your step. Wear hiking appropriate shoes. May need insect repellent. Approximately a 15 minute hike to cache.
This main hiking trail makes a complete loop around the lake which will bring you back to the parking area. Or, you can exit the opposite way you entered. There is an additional geocache hidden in the park, just slightly off the trail, that you can hike to from this main trail.
This is a Tupperware type container. Contains wildlife/nature type swag to view or trade. May contain trackables/travel bugs. Please do not take these unless you know how to properly log. Please respect environment. Please return geocache as found. There may be people fishing alongside the bank of the lake around the trail....may need to practice stealth! Please make sure to snap container closed properly.
Be sure to take a drive around the park and campground!
We camp here several times a season and love walking these trails with our 2 Schnauzer fur babies!
Congratulations to paulgracie for FTF!