| History
Gebhard Woods State Park was originally purchased from Mrs. William Gebhard by the Grundy County Rod & Gun Club in 1934 for the amount of $1,500.00. A game fish rearing pool was developed on the property by the Rod & Gun club who in turn donated the property to the State of Illinois to be developed & maintained as Gebhard Woods State Park. Members of the Brandon-Morris Civilian Conservation Corps were employed by the Department of the Interior to clear & landscape this newly formed state park. The CCC developed two additional spawning pools for game fish, interior trails, a large shelter of handhewn beams with flagstone flooring, two small log shelters complete with fireplaces, a sheltered resting bench & a large stone fireplace.
Today, hikers, campers, picnickers, & canoeists frequent this 30-acre site, making it one of the state's most popular state parks. Located in Morris, this picturesque park is bordered on the south by the Illinois & Michigan Canal & to the north by Nettle Creek which gently flows along the perimeter & through the park adding to its natural beauty & abundance of wildlife. Stately old trees including walnut, oak, ash, maple, sycamore, hawthorn & cottonwood provide ample shade throughout the park. In the spring, trillium, bluebell, white trout lily, violets, wild ginger, phlox, toothwort & spring beauties are just a sample of the wildflowers that can be enjoyed by park visitors. |
Gebhard Woods State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
41.359533, -88.439055
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Campground: Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris Illinois *