Owen-Putnam State Forest — Hotel in Bloomington

We travel here from Northern Illinois to gold prospect. The forest is beautiful! There are so many hidden waterfalls. I think I spent more time enjoying the beauty than I do panning. There are many trails for hiking tons of bird species for bird watchers. I highly reccomend loading up on bug spray, putting on your mud boots and heading out to Owen Putnam for a day or two! Camping is available on self pay system, rattlesnake campground is at the top of rattlesnake road. If you cant cross over the creek in your vehicle you can take Keene rd. in. It says dead end when you turn down, but they just havent removed that sign. It gets...

We went a couple days after a big storm hit so we knew there was going to be mass destruction and chaos. Well chaos not so much. But still, trees everywhere. But we didn't let that stop our little hike. What did stop it was the humid, 🥵 hot 🔥 weather that is expected after July storms. Plus I wanted to hike to the creek but couldn't really find the trail, so someone chose the trail that goes straight up and down in 110°+ heatwave. So yeah, we went home after...

If you're looking for a nice peaceful campground, this place is it. Never to busy it's tucked just saw of Spencer in right off St. Road 46 with a beautiful small pond filled with bluegill, bass and catfish, a play area just perfect to wear the little ones down for a nice quiet evening while mom and dad sit around a nice crackling fire and sip, well whatever you prefer, it's a perfect weekend getaway spot, I go every chance I get, hope to see y'all there....