Located in Kerr Township in northeast Champaign County, approximately six miles north of Penfield, is the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve. It contains roughly 1,535 acres.
The Middle Fork is an extensive, diversely-wooded area. There are upland old-field successional grasslands, oak-hickory woodlands on uplands, short uneven, eroded side slopes with scrub cover, and bottom land successional forests. Scattered relic old-growth oaks exist throughout the site.
About four miles of the Middle Fork River run along the preserve. The site includes Willow Pond, Cypress Pond and Emerald Pond. Of the 1,535 acres, approximately 114 are developed. Developments include the Activity Center; lake-associated developments such as a boat rental area, boat ramps, a swimming beach and a shower house, the Harry L. Swartz Campground, the Waterfowl Management Area and the Levi Wood House.