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The Best of
Both Worlds


STORY BY Liz PENSONEAU
PHOTOS BY ADELE HODDE

Do you prefer camping in the wild or resort living? At Wolf Creek and Eagle Creek, the choice is yours.

They remind me of two siblings who grew up under one roof — and developed distinctively different interests and lifestyles. Only they aren't humans—they're adjacent parks set apart by an 11,000-acre lake and managed by the same parent, the Department of Natural Resources.

Known as Wolf Creek and Eagle Creek state parks, they offer a menu that features the best of both worlds when it comes to outdoor activities. This is evidenced by their combined total of 925,000 visitors each year—a very impressive number considering the "off-the-beaten-path" location of their 7,000 acres.

Wolf Creek State Park

For those who basically prefer life in the wild. Wolf Creek is the place to be. Known for its deer-viewing opportunities, it also is a paradise for campers, horseback riders, hikers, birders and anglers. Featuring the largest camping area on Lake Shelbyville, it has 141 reservable Class A sites, an additional 163 first-come, first-served Class A sites, 78 overflow sites and a group camping area with seven organized sites that accommodate about 30 people each. A primitive campground features 20 sites, and camping opportunities also include two accessorized, erected tents available in conjunction with DNR's "Rent-A-Tent" program and one extremely popular log cabin that sleeps six. During the camping season, the Lake Shelbyville ministry hosts outdoor worship services on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. at the site's amphitheater.

"Campers need to be reminded to plan in advance," said Marty Harbaugh, assistant site superintendent of both parks. "If they want to reserve a site, they need to contact us at least two weeks in advance to allow sufficient time for the reservation to be processed."

Reservation requests are accepted starting in January for sites to be reserved between May 1 and Oct. 31. Credit card reservations are not accepted, and reservations must be made in person or by mail.

The public swimming beach at Wolf Creek State Park is a popular spot, especially for campers, and it offers a panoramic view of Lake Shelbyville.

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Michelle Hopkins leads visitors on a trail ride at Wolf Creek State Park while three generations of the Young family enjoy a hot dog roast at the site's campground.

An exceptionally nice equestrian campground with 18 non-reservable sites to accommodate steeds is nestled in a spacious shaded area. It is the only equestrian campground on Lake Shelbyville, so it is quite popular. There are five sites with electricity available for $10 per night and 13 non-electric spots, which rent for $7 per night. The campground also serves as the trail-head for the 15-mile Timberline Horse Trail that doubles as a snowmobile trail during the winter months when there is a snowfall of at least 4 inches. There are a total of seven hiking trails at the site, one of which is accessible to those with disabilities.

And speaking of horses, Wolf Creek Riding Stables, a privately owned and operated business, offers great family fun with its guided horse trail rides from April through November. Also available are pony rides, hay-wagon rides, sleigh rides, overnight rides and riding lessons. The facility is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Those who enjoy swimming and sunbathing will be pleased to learn that Wolf Creek has a public beach, complete with changing rooms, a playground, picnic area and restroom facilities. Campers pretty much have the spot to themselves due to the fact there are other public beaches closer to area towns. Although floodwater made the beach inaccessible late in May, site personnel anticipated it would be ready for the Fourth of July holiday. They cautioned that there is no lifeguard on duty at the site, so swimming is at one's own risk. The beach will remain open until the middle of September.

If you visit Wolf Creek State Park, be sure to take your camera. The park is known for its deer-viewing opportunities.

School groups are frequent visitors at Wolf Creek and have been taking advantage of an opportunity to visit the site's new artificial, man-made wetland area, which utilizes treated water from the sewage treatment plant. This project is one of the first of its kind in Illinois and has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Students also have an opportunity to visit the site's three prairie restoration areas where wildflowers such as the blazing star, coneflower and black-eyed Susan are plentiful.

While Eagle Creek is a popular day-use area, Wolf Creek's accommodations actually remain underused. Perhaps it's because many people do not realize they are available. One good example is Lost Shelter, which overlooks the lake and can be reserved for $20—the same fee as for other reservable shelters at both parks. Lost Shelter is rather secluded and not readily visible from the road, thus explaining the origin of its name. It is accessible for those with disabilities and offers rest rooms and a grill. Perfect for group outings, it can accommodate 30 people.

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Eagle Creek Resort has all the amenities, including a miniature golf course, two swimming pools and 138 guest rooms.

Eagle Creek State Park

If you find creature comforts, fine dining, swiming pools, tennis and golf more to your liking. Eagle Creek should be your park of choice. Here, you can combine the good life with a quiet, serene country environment. That's not to say you can't fish, hunt, hike and camp here too, because you can.

"You can't really separate Eagle Creek State Park from Eagle Creek Resort as the resort is what we are known for, and if you are tired of the rat race, it is a great getaway," said Richard Glazebrook, site superintendent of Eagle Creek and Wolf Creek."

Visitors to Eagle Creek Resort will experience small-town hospitality at a facility with big-city amenities, such as a total of 138 immaculate guest rooms and executive suites appointed with Amish handcrafted furnishings, fine dining, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a miniature golf course, a romantic gazebo, conference rooms and a private eight-bedroom retreat called the Eagle's Nest. Top that off with pontoon boat and paddle boat rentals and a four-star golf course, and you'll discover why Eagle Creek Resort earned the Chicago Tribune's designation as one of the top 10 golf resorts in the Midwest.

Jay Primavera, general manager of the resort, says the number-one strength of his facility is the staff's "honest hospitality."

"We tie everything together in terms of entertainment. We don't have customers, we have guests," said Primavera. "The staff really cares, and once people come here, they remain very loyal."

Primavera added that he enjoys watching people rediscover wooded areas and nature.

Eagle Creek is also known for hosting fishing tournaments every weekend, and this October will mark its seventh year for hosting DNR's Director's Muskie Tournament. It also has been the site of numerous non-fishing events, such as the International Bowhunters Association championship.

"We had guests at that event from 17 different states," said Glazebrook. A lot of them pictured this as a corn and soybean area, but we are on the Shelbyville Moraine and have a lot of ravines in the park. That fact surprised them."

A new first-time youth festival at the park is creating a lot of excitement as planning continues for "Links to the Future," scheduled for Aug. 16-18.

"This event is being made possible by a grant from the Illinois Conservation Foundation. We have enlisted the support of conservation groups and organizations such as Pheasants Forever and the Turkey Federation to get youth involved in shooting, trapping, fishing, archery, camping, dog training and other outdoor activities," said Glazebrook. "Scouting groups will be participating, along with interested school-age children. Anyone who wants more

A charming gazebo is available as a rental at Eagle Creek State Park, which is also home to a four-star, 6,900-yard golf course.



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Information you can use

Wolf Creek State Park, R.R. 1, Box 99, Windsor, IL 61957. Phone (217) 459-2831. Visit http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/
PARKS/R3/WOLFCR EK.HTM.

Wolf Creek Riding Stables, R.R.1, Box 99, Windsor, IL 61957. Stables phone (217) 459-2538; office phone (217) 229-4518.

Eagle Creek State Park, P.O. Box 16, Findlay, IL 62534. Phone (217) 756-8260. Visit http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/
PARKS/R3/EAGLECRK.HTM.

Eagle Creek Resort and Conference Center, P.O. Box 230, Findlay, IL 62534. Phone (217) 756-3456 or 1-800-876-3245. Visit www.EagleCreek Resort.com.

Fishing and Hunting

Fishing at both Wolf Creek and Eagle Creek is good since Lake Shelbyville is home to crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, muskie, bullhead, carp and sunfish. In fact, Matt Carmean of Mattoon just pulled a new state record muskie from its waters. (See "Mixed Bag Bonus" elsewhere in this issue.) Near the boat dock at Wolf Creek is a favorite site for bank fishing, and there also is a fish-cleaning station nearby.

Both sites have quality deer and upland game programs. At Eagle Creek, only shotguns are allowed for squirrel, rabbit and quail and only bow and arrow for deer. Eagle Creek also hosts archery hunts for handicapped hunters. At Wolf Creek, there is a shotgun deer hunting program. Check with the park staff for specific information regarding species, shooting times and dates.

Camping

Camping is allowed year-round at both sites. Shower facilities generally open around April 1. There are 180 camping sites at Eagle Creek, and nearly double that amount at Wolf Creek.


Eagle Creek's butterfly barn is a popular attraction for school groups and other children who take advantage of the opportunity to learn about different species.

information about the event should contact the park office at Eagle Creek."

Glazebrook takes great pride in the two parks he oversees and is quick to commend his staff.

"In addition to maintaining the parks, the staff here has contributed so much, having built the stables at Wolf Creek, the high-water boat dock and the gazebo at Eagle Creek. I don't think people realize how valuable these guys are who work in the parks.... It is unbelievable how talented they are and how much they can do.... They love big projects and big events. They always volunteer their time to help at the muskie tournament we put on each October. We always have 300-plus people here, and the staff helps with the cooking and the fund-raising."

Park visitors who enjoy watching wildlife will be pleased to know that, in addition to the normal upland populations, there are flocks of turkeys, pelicans, lots of bluebirds, cedar waxwings, cardinals and Baltimore orioles. There is also a special attraction—a butterfly barn flanked with prairie wildflowers and located near the park office.

And, if wedding bells are in your future, consider this. Eagle Creek has a charming lakeside gazebo in a manicured park setting that can be rented for the standard $20 park pavilion rental fee. It's the bargain of the century.

The boat ramp at Eagle Creek State Park provides access to the 11,000-acre Lake Shelbyville, which has a diverse fishery.


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