Sand Ridge State Forest is a conservation area located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Containing 7200acre, it is the largest state forest in Illinois. It is located in northern Mason County. The nearest town is Manito, Illinois and the nearest numbered highway is U.S. Highway 136. It is located on a low bluff, or "sand ridge", overlooking the Illinois River, hence the name. The sand ridge is believed to be an artifact of the post-glacial Kankakee Torrent.The Sand Ridge State Forest largely dates back to 1939, when the state of Illinois purchased parcels of submarginal sandy farmland for conservation purposes. The Civilian Conservation Corps planted pine trees on much of the land. Today, the 7200acre state forest contains 3916acre of dryland oak-hickory woodlands, 2492acre of pine woodlands, and 792acre of open fields and sand prairies. Endemic species include the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia, more familiar to Mexicans and residents of the U.S. Southwest.The Sand Ridge State Forest contains the Clear Lake Site, an archeological site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
