Visit Fort Massac State Park

The long decorated history of Fort Massac dates back to 1757 during the French and Indian War when this French fort was constructed overlooking the Ohio River in Southernmost Illinois.

The French left the fort behind at the conclusion of that war, then was rebuilt and used once more during the Revolutionary War in 1778. The area was used again during the Northwest Indian War under Colonel George Rogers Clark, brother of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 

In 1803, Lewis and Clark stopped at the fort on its journey west and recruited two volunteers. The fort also suffered major damage during the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811. The site was also briefly a training camp during the early years of the Civil War. The fort was abandoned shortly after. In 1908, Fort Massac became Illinois' first state park.

Today, a replica of a 1802 fort has been constructed. On a half mile pathway one is able to walk the grounds where the original fort stood, see a monument of George Rogers Clark, and get fantastic views of the Ohio River. 

Every fall, hundreds of reenactors and vendors of French, British, and American Colonial life are on display during the Fort Massac Encampment. 

There is also a Museum, and a Campground with electric hookup on site as well. More information on camping at the park can be found here.