Beall Woods State Park protects one of the last significant stands of original deciduous forest in the eastern United States. Located near Mt. Carmel in Wabash County, this 635-acre park has been safeguarding towering hardwoods since its establishment in 1966, earning it the nickname “The Forest of the Wabash.” Several trees here exceed 120 feet in height and measure more than three feet in diameter, with some specimens estimated to be over 300 years old.

The park’s trail system winds through this remarkable old-growth canopy, offering roughly 6 miles of hiking paths that range from easy strolls to moderate woodland walks. The Rocky Hollow Trail and Sweet Gum Trail are favorites for spotting massive white oaks, tulip poplars, and American beeches that have stood since before Illinois achieved statehood. Birdwatchers will find the mature forest canopy especially rewarding, with pileated woodpeckers, barred owls, and migrating warblers frequenting the area.

The park sits along the Wabash River, and the bottomland habitat supports a rich diversity of wildflowers in spring. Fishing is available in Coffee Creek and along the river’s edge.

Spring and fall deliver the best hiking conditions. April through May brings carpets of woodland wildflowers, while October transforms the old-growth canopy into one of southern Illinois’s most striking fall color displays.

With a 4.6-star rating across 329 reviews, Beall Woods consistently earns praise from visitors who come expecting a simple state park and leave having walked among some of the oldest trees in the Midwest.

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