Kickapoo State Park Strip Mine Reclamation Loop

Kickapoo’s backcountry loop navigates the dramatic terrain left behind by decades of strip mining operations, where coal draglines carved up 2,842 acres until the 1960s. The route threads between 22 deep-water ponds created by the mining, crossing several seasonal streams and climbing over massive spoil piles that create surprisingly technical off-camber challenges. You’ll hit the gnarly descent into Fishing Pond #8 area, where loose shale and clay make traction sketchy even in dry conditions.

This is difficult terrain requiring experienced drivers and capable 4WD with good approach/departure angles. Recovery points essential – the clay soil becomes impassable when wet. Late summer through fall provides the best conditions when water levels drop and the clay firms up. No camping allowed within the park, but the 22 ponds offer excellent fishing for largemouth bass, and the reclaimed prairie provides unique wildlife viewing opportunities you won’t find elsewhere in Illinois.