Park listing
Frank Holten State Recreation Area
4500 Pocket Road, East St. Louis, IL 62205
Within view of the St.
Trip starter
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Frank Holten State Recreation Area
This listing is currently using verified trip data while licensed photography is being finalized.
Drive time
Set origin in search
Bathrooms
Restroom coverage on site
Trailer fit
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Weather
Mostly Sunny
Why this park
Facilities
Facility coverage needs a closer look on the official reservation page.
Trailer fit
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Activity mix
22 named routes are surfaced for hiking and activity planning.
About this park
Within view of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, Frank Holten State Recreation Area is an ideal destination for outdoor recreation in an urban setting in East St.
Read full park description
Within view of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, Frank Holten State Recreation Area is an ideal destination for outdoor recreation in an urban setting in East St. Louis. The 1,080-acre St. Clair County park features the 18-hole Grand Marais Golf Course, two lakes for outstanding fishing, and plenty of open space for picnicking and other outdoors fun. The site is named for the late Frank Holten, who served the region in the Illinois General Assembly for 48 years. The park features woodlands of Scotch pine, maple, oak, poplar, sycamore, tulip, redbud and wild cherry trees, blossoming flowers and bushes, and urban wildlife. Frank Holten has one of the largest day use areas in the region, with picnic shelters, barbecue pits, and drinking water. The two lakes - Whispering Willow Lake and Grand Marais Lake - total more than 200 acres of water and 5 miles of shoreline. Whispering Willow Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Boat and bank fishing is allowed (10 horsepower limit for boating). The 18-hole Grand Marais Golf Course, an athletic field, cross country course, basketball courts and a baseball diamond are among other attractions at Frank Holten. For more information on the golf course and Lighthouse Restaurant, check the website at www.grandmaraisgolf.com.
Campsite fit
Group-designated sites listed in park data: 7. Verify current group pricing, vehicle maximums, and campground rules on the official reservation page.
Group-site signal
No special group limitations surfaced in the current listing metadata.
Trailer and rig access
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Fire rules
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Bathrooms and facilities
Trails and activities
22 named trail routes are surfaced here from 36 mapped source segments. Start with the featured routes, then expand the full list if this park stays on your shortlist.
Park Lake Trail
1.0 miles total • 6 mapped segments • path
Temporarily Closed
0.4 miles total • foot trail
MIdland Boulevard
0.4 miles total • 3 mapped segments • foot trail
View all trail routes
Granberry Drive
0.3 miles total • 2 mapped segments • track
Primary Center Walking Trail
0.3 miles total • gravel • foot trail
Carson Road
0.2 miles total • foot trail
Mann Road
0.2 miles total • track
Temporirly Closed
0.2 miles total • path
Page Avenue
0.1 miles total • 4 mapped segments • foot trail
Whispering Oaks Lane
0.1 miles total • track
North Hanley Road
0.1 miles total • 3 mapped segments • foot trail
Allen Avenue
0.1 miles total • foot trail
Weather context
Mostly Sunny
2026-03-09 • 79° / 62° • 0% precipitation
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
May
May avg: 72°F high, 53°F low, 11 rainy days
June
June avg: 81°F high, 62°F low, 10 rainy days
July
July avg: 85°F high, 67°F low, 9 rainy days
Safety and rules
No active alerts surfaced for the selected dates.
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Key rules and on-site notes
The current listing surfaces a short set of park rules worth checking before you finalize the trip.
Directions
From I-255, take exit 19 toward East St. Louis. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for East St. Louis. Merge onto State Street. Turn left onto IL-111S/N 59th St/N Kingshighway, then turn right onto Lake Drive.
Contact
(618) 874-7920
Fire policy
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
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