Small day-use areas are located near the campgrounds, office and canoe accesses, providing picnic tables and rustic sanitary facilities. Canoeists, hikers and fisherman also may prefer to picnic along the rivers or trails. Please remember to properly dispose of all litter.

There are 35 miles of marked scenic equestrian, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails in the Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area, and nine miles of designated hiking trails are available at nearby Kickapoo State Park. All marked trails are accessible from the parking lot near the office at 2400N, just off Road 900E.

The deep glacial till that composes the area accounts for the extensive entrenchment of the Middle Fork River. The prominent moraine involved is the Newtown loop of the Bloomington End Moraine. The rather rugged roll and cut of the land causes fairly quick drainage of the uplands. This, in turn, yields an upland of oak-hickory climax forest, although this basin is a part of the Wabash Border Division, which separates the grand prairie on the west from the beech-maple forest that covers much of the east.

The river is deemed by ecological research experts as one of the most pristine in the state and has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River. In the Lower reach, it is almost entirely sand and gravel bottomed. Not only are there good populations of such game fish as smallmouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish, the Vermillion River system also is the only known habitat in Illinois of the blue-breasted darter.

The Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area is comprised of three elements: river flood plain, upland forest and upland fields. Some flood plains and upland fields are cropped. A well-balanced food chain exists from field mice and moles, cottontail rabbits, foxes, hawks and owls. There are huntable populations of pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel and deer. Furbearing mammals also are in good population. Waterfowl and shorebirds, such as great blue heron, are common in the bottomlands. The upland woods are frequented by warblers, vireos, and the more common songbirds. The elusive southeastern shrew also is found in the area. Wild turkeys recently have been released in the area.

The Middle Fork River was designated a State and National Scenic River in 1990, in a cooperative effort, a 1,000-foot scenic corridor has been established along the river. It begins at the northern boundary of the Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area and extends through Kennekuk Cove County Park, Illinois Power Company property and on through Kickapoo State Park, where it ends at the park's south boundary.

Areas of natural interest include Collison Creek Marsh, Indian Grass Prairie, Skunk Cabbage Seep and Orchid Hill, which is partially owned by Illinois Power Company.

To help hunters sharpen their skills and provide compatible recreational opportunities, a trap range and an archery trail have been constructed.

The trap range is located along road number 2400N near the site office. It consists of two ranges with a table and bench. Throwers are not provided. Shot size No. 6 or smaller must be used. The range usually is open year-round.

The archery trail is located one-quarter mile west of intersection 2620N/900E. The trail includes 20 targets constructed in a loop through the woods, a tower for simulated tree stand shooting and a measured target. The use of broadhead tips is not allowed. The trail is open year-round.

Both ranges have picnic tables and rustic sanitary facilities available.