River Ridge Backpack Trail, Forest Glen Preserve

Forest Glen Preserve, Vermilion County Conservation District (near Westville and Georgetown)

Forest Glen Preserve is a county park along the Vermilion River in east-central Illinois. Its River Ridge Backpack Trail loops 11 miles around the whole preserve through beech-maple and oak-hickory forest, with stream crossings and designated backcountry camps. Backpacker calls it “a safe bet for first-timers and seasoned backpackers alike.”

Overnight trips need advance registration.

The hike

Wikipedia puts Forest Glen at 1,800 acres in McKendree Township, about 4 miles east of Route 1 between Westville and Georgetown. It was established in 1968, is run by the Vermilion County Conservation District, and has a 72-foot observation tower with views over the river and the forest canopy.

The River Ridge Backpack Trail is marked with red blazes and red arrows, according to Smile Politely’s Mara Thacker, who describes a route stitched together from several smaller trails. She notes multiple stream crossings with slippery rocks, river views and benches, pit toilets at several points, and more than 1,000 feet of total climbing, with steeper hills near the end. Backpacker describes rolling hills with moderate climbs between miles 4 and 10, small stream crossings, and beech-maple and oak-hickory forest.

Michael Ray’s 2011 trip report on the Backpacking Light forum describes three sections with established campsites. The large Group Camp site, about 3 miles from the trailhead, had “LOTS of open areas,” with a pit toilet. Smaller wooded sites sat about a quarter mile beyond it. East Camp, which the district places at mile 7.5, had smaller individual sites where “the layout allowed very few spots with somewhat level ground.” He found the trail “in great shape with very few wet areas and no overgrowth,” with some erosion near creeks.

Backpacker recommends fall for color.

Tips

Register two weeks ahead. The district requires a completed registration form at least two weeks before an overnight trip.
Park in the right lot. Overnight parking is only south of the Audubon Barn, per the district.
Fill up before you start. The district says the only tap is on the west side of the Audubon Barn; there’s no man-made water on the trail.
Filter river water. The Vermilion River is near both camps.
Watch your footing. Rocks at stream crossings are slippery, and Ray noted waterbars that can trip you.
Mind the gate hours. The district says gate access is limited to park hours.

Camping

Camping on the River Ridge Backpack Trail is allowed only at the Group Camp and East Camp. The district’s rules say, “NO CAMPING ALLOWED ANYWHERE OTHER THAN THE DESIGNATED CAMPING AREAS.” The rules list six sites at Group Camp and five at East Camp; the preserve’s web page lists three East Camp sites with a pit toilet and fire rings. Fires are allowed only in designated areas in the campsites, using dead and down wood; don’t cut live trees. Dogs must be leashed. Neither camp has water, but the district says the Vermilion River is a short walk from each for those with a filter. Group changes and vehicle changes must be reported by noon the day before.

Inside Intel: Backpacker suggests site 13 for the first night and site 16 for the second on a two-night trip. In his 2011 report, Ray rated East Camp’s site 3 the best of the smaller sites, since level tent spots were scarce there. He found water at a creek north of the first group site, near the Hickory Ridge trail junction, at a bridge before the gravel road to East Camp, and in a creek behind sites 2 or 4. Treat all of it.

Trail facts

Distance: About 11 miles
Route type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: More than 1,000 feet of total climbing (Smile Politely)
Campsites: Group Camp (about mile 3) and East Camp (mile 7.5); designated sites only
Water: Tap at the Audubon Barn; river and creeks on the trail (filter)
Permits: Advance registration form, at least two weeks ahead
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Fires: Only in designated fire rings at camps
Trailhead: Near the Audubon Barn, Forest Glen Preserve
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

Hunting for level ground at East Camp:

At East Camp, one hiker found very few spots with somewhat level ground. If you sleep on your side, see how pad width, inflation, and site choice can help.

Get the side-sleeper tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.