Enjoy a weekend of beauty and relaxation at Johnson Sauk Trail State Park near Kewanee, Illinois. This Illinois recreation area is a hidden gem.
Johnson Sauk is home to Ryan’s Round Barn. Dr. Ryan built this vast red barn in the early 1900s. Its circular design allows for more efficient use of space and function.
The park offers RV camping, tent camping, a group camping area, and a rustic cabin. The RV area and cabin are available year-round.
Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area
Johnson Sauk is an 1100-acre park in Northwest Illinois. This quiet, natural area has camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking, hunting, bird watching, and historical barn tours.
Johnson Sauk Camping
The Chief Keokuk Campground at Johnson-Sauk has 70 RV sites spread over two loops. Sites 1 through 31 are in a grove of tall pine trees and aptly named The Pines.
The rest are large sites in an open loop with fewer trees. Many of these sites are partial to full sun. The entry for many of these sites is tight due to ditches along each side.
I recommend staying in The Pines.
All the RV spots have a crushed rock driveway, a power pole, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Many of the sites have a sloped driveway.
A shower house with bathroom stalls and accessible bathrooms is between the loops. Vault toilets are located away from the shower house.
I enjoyed laying in my hammock and listening to the breeze blow through the pines above me.
Tent Camping
Twenty-five tent sites along the perimeter of The Pines are grassy walk-in sites. Parking is close by. No electricity is offered, but a picnic table and fire pit exist. Water is available nearby.
The Black Hawk Group Camp, which accommodates 50 people, is across the lake.
Ryan’s Round Barn
As you drive through the park, you will see a gigantic red barn named Ryan’s Round Barn. This amazing building, built in 1910, is on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
Fortunately, I was there on a weekend when the barn was open for tours. A volunteer from the Friends of Johnson State Park Foundation conducts these tours. No word on tour dates for 2024 yet.
The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the construction and use of the round barn. It is an engineering marvel.
The barn cost $9600 to construct. That is close to $2 million nowadays.
Other Park Activities
Johnson Lake is a centerpiece of the park. This beautiful lake offers year-round fishing.
I rode my bicycle on the road around the lake. The hilly terrain was quite a challenge.
Along that road are several short hiking trails. Each says moderate, but they are a little on the easy-moderate side.
The recreation area has hunting areas, picnic areas, and a boat launch.
When I visited in May 2023, the restaurant and store were closed because there was no concessionaire. I hope they find someone to run it because it’s a lovely park.
I saw a few small fishing boats and kayaks out on the lake.
One of my favorite things about this park was all the beautiful birds. They were flying around, chirping and singing all around me.
I visited Johnson Sauk Trail State Park alone but plan to return with my spouse and friends sometime.
More Illinois Camping
