Prairie State Wire

Off-highway vehicle enthusiasts and officials gathered in Carrier Mills, Illinois, to celebrate the opening of new trails at Sahara Woods State Recreation Area. This marks the completion of a 26-year project aimed at creating Illinois' first OHV park on public land.

Governor JB Pritzker highlighted the significance of this project: "This years-in-the-making Sahara Woods project represents what happens when strong government partnerships prioritize local communities." He emphasized that transforming a coal mine site into a 4,000 square-foot OHV park is an investment in conservation, tourism, and recreation for Saline County.

The trail system is located on reclaimed mine land previously used by Bankston Creek Collieries and the Sahara Coal Co. from 1936 until 1993. The land was donated to the state in 1999. Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), stated, "We're here today because of the grit and resolve of countless individuals over nearly three decades who were determined to see this concept become a reality."

Sahara Woods offers nearly 30 miles of OHV trails built with state and federal funding, including a grant from the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program. IDNR's Abandoned Mine Lands Program managed over $10 million in reclamation work necessary for constructing the park and trails.

The Illinois Capital Development Board led construction efforts for a new OHV building with facilities designed for year-round use. CDB Executive Director TJ Edwards commented on the project's impact: "The project at Sahara Woods is a great example of how thoughtful investment and collaboration can enhance our state parks for future generations."

State Senator Dale Fowler expressed pride in seeing the partnership come to fruition: "This has been a long time coming... This off-highway vehicle project represents years of persistence, planning, and investment that will provide lasting benefits for outdoor recreation, tourism and economic growth right here in southern Illinois."

Carrier Mills supplies water to Sahara Woods, with input from groups like ABATE of Illinois contributing to its development. The OHV trails will operate Friday through Monday each week until late January 2026 before closing temporarily during winter.

Permits are available online—$20 per day or $65 for four days—with access limited to 120 vehicles daily. The recreation area spans 4,000 acres featuring fishing opportunities along with boat ramps and hunting options.

IDNR celebrates its centennial in 2025 as it continues managing wildlife resources across approximately 400 sites statewide.