Yesterday afternoon Hubby and I had some free time and decided to take a drive to northeastern Champaign County.

We visited the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve near Penfield, which is part of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. The forest preserve district covers 3858 acres in Champaign County and includes Lake of the Woods, Homer Lake, River Bend, and Sangamon River forest preserves in addition to Middle Fork .

Activities available at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve are swim beach, fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, cross-country skiing, building rentals, and educational programs. There are three ponds and 65 campsites.

Middle Fork was established in 1984 to preserve wildlife and for recreation.

Nesting box along the hiking trail.

Natural vegetation

Busy bee

Cattails along one of the fishing ponds.

Swim beach