
Fast access to St. Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Kansas City and Des Moines.
Morgan and Scott Counties are known for abundant outdoor recreation and a beautiful natural environment. We are home to Lake Jacksonville, voted the #1 Bass Fishing Lake in Illinois; Godfrey Park, a fully accessible park; new hiking trails; a sportsman’s club; and a variety of parks, lakes, rivers and hunting grounds. Outdoorsmen, families and nature-lovers enjoy living in our region for the many opportunities to enjoy outdoor hobbies and to reach them quickly. After all, when nature is your backyard and there’s virtually no traffic, having fun after work or on the weekends becomes a lot easier.
One of the things our residents love about living in the area, is the ability to get off work and reach their outdoor destination in minutes. Whether that means meeting friends at Foreman Grove for a round of disc golf, bird watching on the Emma Mae Leonhard Wildlife Sanctuary & Nature Trail or spending the evening at the lake, working in the Jacksonville area means having access to everything you love, right outside your door.
Some of our best local parks and outdoor venues are listed below.
Lake Jacksonville
Crazy Horse Campground
Dewey Park
Emma Mae Leonhard Wildlife Sanctuary & Nature Trail
Plum Creek Golf Course
Godfrey Park
Community Guide is Available
The City of Jacksonville is located in west central Illinois, 35 miles west of Springfield, the state capital. It is the county seat of Morgan County and one of the oldest towns in the Land of Lincoln, founded in 1825. Jacksonville was established by Yankee settlers from New England, who laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings, and established post routes. They were part of a wave of European/American farmers who headed west into what was then the wilds of the Northwest Territory, during the early 1800s. Download Here!