State Park · Illinois

Horseshoe Lake State Park

Location: Madison County, Illinois
Nearest town: 2.5 miles north of Fairmont City
Type: State Park

About Horseshoe Lake State Park

Nearly 2,960 acres surround a horseshoe-shaped body of water that gives the park its name, with the lake itself covering about 2,400 of those acres, making it the second largest natural lake in Illinois. Bicycle routes connect through the park via the Schoolhouse Trail, part of a network exceeding 85 miles, extending as far as downtown St. Louis by crossing the Mississippi River on the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.

Getting there

Horseshoe Lake State Park is in Madison County, Illinois, 2.5 miles north of Fairmont City. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.

State parks near Horseshoe Lake State Park

Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 64 in Illinois →

Towns near Horseshoe Lake State Park

State parks near St. Louis, State parks near O'Fallon, State parks near Upper Alton, State parks near Bridgeton, State parks near Arnold, State parks near Wildwood

Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.