Former Coal Mine Became St. Ellen Park

Take in the views of far-off hills and be near the shorelines of lakes and ponds in St. Ellen Park in O’Fallon, Illinois.

The 85-acre park was originally part of a coal strip mining operation from 1854 until the mine closed in 1960. With the changeover to a park, the topography includes a hill, numerous ponds, and a lake.

This hike is on a 2.4-mile paved trail, mostly level around a large mound in the middle. Doing the upper loop adds a 12 percent grade to the hike.

Start of the Hike

I hiked with David and my son, who rode his dirt bike. We started by heading left, passing by the lake where you can walk out on a dock. In the distance, you can see apartments.

Going South

Next, we walked south along the lake. Ponds are on the left side of the trail, and short side trails lead closer to the shoreline.

I came across an area of honeysuckle bushes with red berries.

Then came the purple flowers of a thistle plant.

Turning East

We reached a curve, and the trail turned to the east. Here, we passed by a large pond with the prairie hill in the background. (Pictured as the main blog photo.)

Snake Sighting

I was walking ahead of my son when David encountered a ratsnake. Rushing back to take a photo, I only saw its tail as it disappeared into the thick grass and woods. Given the presence of ponds in the area, it’s important to be mindful of the presence of snakes.

Heading North

The trail veers north and ascends slightly, skirting the hillside with trees to the right.

We turned to the right and were back near the parking lot.

Going Up

Near the parking lot, another trail winds up a large mound in switchbacks, making it a more gradual climb.

You pass through tall prairie grasses, and the trail forms a loop at the summit.

*Looking out at distant farms from the top of the hill.*

From this vantage point, distant farms and the water towers of nearby towns are visible. On the day of our visit, a constant wind was blowing.

After completing the loop, we headed down. My son on his bike went down quickly!

*A view along the path of the lower trail*

Final Thoughts

Completing both the lower and upper loops will give you a good workout. The trail offers a nice variety of woods, lakes, and prairie hills. If you are near St. Clair Square or the shopping centers in O’Fallon, Illinois, and want to spend some time outdoors in nature, this a worthy hike.

Another Trail

On the north side of the parking area is the paved one-mile St. Ellen Trail, which connects Old Collinsville Road to Hartman Lane. If you want a longer walk you can use this trail to explore the area.