Jubilee College State Park is a 3,200-acre facility, located in Peoria County between the towns of Kickapoo and Brimfield, just off U.S. Route 150. This scenic area, with its rolling topography and meandering Jubilee Creek, offers various outdoor recreational opportunities.

Jubilee is situated in the Illinoisan drift-plain, and is deeply eroded into many complex valley systems, from near-level ridgetops and floodplains to steep slope ravines. Bedrock exposures are numerous and include shale, sandstone, limestone and coal. The highest elevation is 660 feet. The topography and Jubilee Creek constitute an aesthetically pleasing environment for outdoor recreation activities, and provide habitat for numerous wildlife and fish species. Visitors may see deer, rabbits, squirrel, fox, coyote and raccoon throughout the forests, while the creek may offer glimpses of mink, muskrat and beaver.

Over 160 species of birds are present, and wild turkeys, stocked in 1988, call Jubilee home.

Jubilee Creek is a tributary to Kickapoo Creek that passes through the park from northwest to southeast. It is characterized by deep pools and fast riffles. The average width is 40 feet and average depth is four inches. Fish species of interest to anglers include smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish and carp. Swimming is prohibited in the creek.

Named Jubilee College by its founder, Episcopal Bishop Philander Chase in 1839, in expression of his thankfulness and joy, the college was one of the earliest educational enterprises in Illinois. Through a series of misfortunes climaxed by the Bishop's death, the college closed in 1862. In 1933 the college and grounds, consisting of 93 acres, were presented to the state of Illinois. Since that time the Department of Natural Resources increased the acreage to 3,200. The college building, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, has been restored to its original appearance and is under the management of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Contact the site for information at: Jubilee College State Historic Site, 11817 Jubilee College Rd., Brimfield, IL 61517, 309.243.9489, E-Mail

The park continues to flourish with the development of a new campground, day-use facilities, along with an entrance road and interior roads that now link the park and the college area.

Campground facilities, open from April 15 to November 1, accommodate recreational vehicles or tents and include a shower building with flush toilets, a trailer dump station, graveled pads, and grills, water hydrants and primitive toilets. Campsites are Class A electric ($15.00) and Class C ($8.00) w/showers. Groups are welcome. Permits are required and can be obtained from the site staff or campground host. Reservations are no longer being accepted.

Winter Camping:

In the main camping area, Coyote Cove loop is open with Class B sites with electric, and primitive privies. No running water is available.