Beall Woods State Park in Illinois, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Beall Woods State Park in southeastern Illinois protects old-growth forest beside the Wabash River near Mount Carmel. Come for short woodland walks and the contrast between upland forest and wetter creek areas. The campground is temporarily closed for electrical upgrades, so plan a day visit.

Old-growth forest and short walks

The easy, 1-mile Tuliptree Trail is a useful first choice for seeing the upland woods. Tree-identification and spring-wildflower brochures are available at the trail entrance or visitor center. For a shorter change of habitat, the quarter-mile Prairie Trail crosses a restored native prairie patch.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Flooding and trail conditions

Low ground can hold floodwater or standing water. Check the posted trail conditions by the visitor center’s front door and bring insect repellent in season. A short trail can still be unsuitable when the ground is flooded.

Protect the nature preserve

Stay on established trails and leave natural objects in place. Pets, bicycles, and horses are prohibited on the forest trails; the park explicitly lists the half-mile Lake Trail as pet friendly. Use the official activity descriptions to choose the right route.

Overnight plans

Do not plan to use the campground while its closure remains in effect. Contact the park about reopening before making overnight arrangements.

Maps, location, and access

The park address is 9285 Beall Woods Avenue, Mount Carmel, IL 62863. Sweet Gum and Schneck trails have access from the north side of the park, so choose the correct starting point for your walk.

Nearby parks

For another stop in this border region, consider Red Hills State Park at Sumner, near U.S. 50, or Harmonie State Park near New Harmony, Indiana. These are separate road destinations; choose the one that fits your onward route.

Choose a forest, prairie, or lake-edge walk

Use Tuliptree for an easy forest outing, or follow Lake Trail from the visitor center to the lake edge. Sweet Gum Trail follows Coffee Creek past a rock cliff and moisture-loving vegetation when conditions allow. Its north-side access makes it a separate choice from a visitor-center start.

Facilities and accessibility

The visitor center has ground-level doors and accessible displays. Accessible privies are listed at the picnic shelters, and the lake has a wheelchair-accessible dock past Shelter 1. Tuliptree is the least difficult forest trail, but a wheelchair user may need help in places. Read the park’s accessibility details before choosing a route.

A surviving Wabash River forest

How the forest was protected

Illinois acquired the Beall family property in 1965 after efforts to prevent its timber from being cut. In 1966, 329 acres of old-growth forest became Illinois’ 14th nature preserve. The park history explains that preservation effort.

Forest and prairie habitats

The restored prairie supports native grasses, flowering plants, pollinators, and quail. Along Coffee Creek, shade and moisture support a different plant community from the upland woods.

Contact

Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages the park. Call 618-298-2442 for current campground and trail conditions.