Sand Creek is located south and a few miles west of Mt. Zion, IL. Coming from Arcola, we take the "Penny" trail winding through several small towns ending up at the south edge of Mt. Zion. We then go west on the Elwin-Mt. Zion Road (County Highway 30) for about 4 miles, turning back north at the Sand Creek sign. You can't miss the park just a mile up the road.

     Sand Creek is maintained by the Macon County Conservation District. Non-county residents pay (on the "honor system") $2 at the gate. There are 18 limestone parking pads for day riding only. Each site includes a picnic table, grill and a hitching rack. A water spigot is near the trailhead; it takes a minute to figure out how to hold onto your horse, pump the handle, and hold up a by-pass valve which makes the water come out at the pump and NOT all over your boots!

     Vault toilets (one for the "Cowboys" and one for the "Cowgirls") are clean and also found at the trailhead. One feature unique to Sand Creek is the wheelchair-accessible mounting ramp.

      Trail maps are available at the entrance gate. The horse trails comprise only 7.6 miles of easy riding trails; all trails are approximately 10 feet wide. Most are shaded, though some wander through grassy open fields. I especially like the patches of native prairie grass which the early settlers to IL claimed was as "tall as a horse's back". On our last ride, we found a conservation officer busily clearing a field. Upon inquiring, we were told that they were removing a patch of non-native bushes in order to restore the park to its original habitat.

     As you ride, you can pass through some of the 6 fords that cross parts of Sand Creek. The fords, though small, provide nice watering holes along the way.

     Sand Creek offers a nice day ride for those of us who ride the roads. It gives us protection from the sun and wind, which in itself is a real treat!