Ohio River Scenic Byway - Illinois
Fort Massac State Park, IL

Fort Massac State Park overlooks the Ohio River from the southern tip of Illinois. This location has been preserved and maintained since 1908, when it became Illinois' first state park.

Today, Fort Massac is a captivating reminder of days gone by. The reconstructed timber fortification (a replica that includes blockhouses) of one built in 1794 provides a unique hands-on opportunity to explore our national heritage. A museum presents the engrossing tale of the fort's history with actual artifacts, archive photographs, period costumes, and a short interpretive video presentation. A second fort from 1757, whose outline is based on archeological digs, was also built.

Actual recreations of pioneer life of the 1700s during the annual Fort Massac Encampment and several living history weekends each year bring the past to life, letting you experience it yourself. With all this, and picnicking, camping, hiking, boating, and hunting opportunities available in the rest of the 1,450-acre area, the park is a self-contained family vacation spot.