Great Riding at Jubilee

By: HRA Crack Research Team

Jubilee College State Park is just west of Peoria with 25 miles of trails and a primative campground (no electric or showers) Nice mix of woods and open, flatter creek bottoms and hills.

Jubilee College State Park is a 3,200-acre facility, located in Peoria County between the towns of Kickapoo and Brimfield, just off U.S. Route 150. This scenic area, with its rolling topography and meandering Jubilee Creek, offers various outdoor recreational opportunities.

Named Jubilee College by its founder, Episcopal Bishop Philander Chase in 1839, in expression of his thankfulness and joy, the college was one of the earliest educational enterprises in Illinois. Through a series of misfortunes climaxed by the Bishop's death, the college closed in 1862. In 1933 the college and grounds, consisting of 93 acres, were presented to the state of Illinois. Since that time the Department of Natural Resources increased the acreage to 3,200. The college building, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, has been restored to its original appearance and is under the management of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Jubilee is situated in the Illinoisan drift-plain, and is deeply eroded into many complex valley systems, from near-level ridgetops and floodplains to steep slope ravines. Bedrock exposures are numerous and include shale, sandstone, limestone and coal. The highest elevation is 660 feet. The topography and Jubilee Creek constitute an aesthetically pleasing environment for outdoor recreation activities, and provide habitat for numerous wildlife and fish species. Visitors may see deer, rabbits, squirrel, fox, coyote and raccoon throughout the forests, while the creek may offer glimpses of mink, muskrat and beaver.

Over 160 species of birds are present, and wild turkeys, stocked in 1988, call Jubilee home.
Jubilee Creek is a tributary to Kickapoo Creek that passes through the park from northwest to southeast. It is characterized by deep pools and fast riffles. The average width is 40 feet and average depth is four inches. Fish species of interest to anglers include smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish and carp. Swimming is prohibited in the creek.

An primitive equestrian camping area is located at the north end of the park. Twenty-five miles of horseback riding trails originate from the camping area. There is water at the campground and toilets. No electric or showers. There is a shelter house, picnic tables, grills and a pay phone. Campsites are Class B/S ($10.00). Overnight campers must self register at the self pay station located in the equestrian campground.

Jubilee College State Park can be reached from I-74.
Eastbound: Brimfield Exit #75, left to US Rte 150. Then turn right on US Rte 150 and go 4 miles to park entrance on left.
Westbound: Kickapoo-Edwards Exit #82, right 1.5 miles to Kickapoo. Then left onto US Rte 150 for 4 miles to park entrance on right.

Park address:
13921 W. Route 150
Brimfield, IL 61517
309.446.3758

dnr.jubilee@illinois.gov

Horseback Riding Article Source: http://www.horsebackridingarticles.com

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