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Current Closures of DNR Sites and Areas

This page lists current closures of DNR Sites and Areas, by geographic region.

  1. - Northwestern Illinois
  2. - Northeastern Illinois
  3. - East Central Illinois
  4. - West Central Illinois
  5. - Southern Illinois

Notices are updated on a continuous basis, so please check before you start your trip.

During hunting season, many sites are closed or partially closed to the public. Public should contact the site directly for closure updates and/or winter hours before going to site.

 

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North West Region 1North East Region 2East Central Region 3West central region 4South Region 5​

 Region 1 - Northwestern Illinois
  • Last updated: 7/31/2020
    • Apple River Canyon- the following satellite areas will be closed to all but permitted hunters, Nov 22-24, Dec 5-8, 13-15, 26-29, and Jan 17-19: Apple River Canyon Salem/Thompson Units, Hanover Bluff SNA, Iris and Jack Witkowsky SFWA, Rall Woods SNA, Tapley Woods, Wards Grove NP, Winston Tunnel SNA.
    • Anderson Lake - Camping at the South Camp is available but on a limited basis due to flooding.
    • Castle Rock State Park -  will be closed for Firearm Deer hunting on November 22, 23 & 24. Dec 5, 6, 7 & 8. Late Season December 26, 27, 28 & 29. January 17, 18 & 19. Also for Muzzle Loader Season December 13, 14 & 15. Canoe camping along the Rock River is open for the summer / fall. Campground closes during high river or wet conditions. Contact the park at 815/732-7329 for current river / campground conditions.
    • Franklin Creek State Natural Area - will be closed for firearm deer hunting Nov 22-24, Dec 5-8, Dec 26-29 and Jan 17-19. 
    • French Bluff State Natural Area -
    • Henderson County – Gladstone Lake, also known as Henderson County, is partially open. Facilities that are available: picnic shelter, privies, water, and a partially opened campground (approximately 10 campsites available), and shoreline fishing. Please call Big River State Forest prior to visiting Gladstone Lake – 309-374-2496.
    • Henderson Creek Access Area closed due to the Mississippi River flooding.
    • Hennepin Canal Closures:
    • The section from Lock 26 to I-80, 4.8 miles, continues to remain "Closed". No repairs have been completed on this portion of the trail. At Lock 27 just to the west of the Aqueduct 8, (Green River), there is a breach in the levee some 75' - 80' wide and 15' - 20' deep. Other portions of this trail segment are not completely washed out, but eroded leaving "drop offs" to the point where in some spots the trail is only 4' - 5' wide.
    • The wells at Lock 21, Lock 22 and Lock 24 are not working; due to budget constraints it is unknown when these will be repaired.  The only potable water available is at the Visitors Center well.
    • Illini State Park - Sunrise Council, Wildcat Bog, and Ancient Oaks day use areas are closed until further notice. Whitetail campground is closed until further notice. The office, shelters, playground and Youth group area are still closed due to COVID 19.
    • Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area - will be closed to the public November 8th and 9th due to DOO shotgun deer hunting season.
    • Kishwaukee River SFWA - is closed 
    • Lake Le-Aqua-Na - will be closed to all but permitted hunters, Nov 22-24.   January 1, 2020 through January 1, 2021 the park will be closed for road and lake repair projects. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the site.
    • The LaSalle Lake - Open daily, 6:00 a.m. - Sunset. All fishermen must be off the site by closing time each day.  There is a wind warning system at LaSalle Lake. Orange windsocks are located on interior dikes throughout the lake. When the windsocks are erect, wind speeds are 14 mph or above and no boats are to be launched; boats on the lake should find calm water and get off the lake when safe to do so.
    • Lowden Miller Forest -  will be closed for Firearm Deer hunting on November 22, 23 & 24. Dec 5, 6, 7 & 8. Late Season December 26, 27, 28 & 29. January 17, 18 & 19.
    • Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area -    MSFWA will be closed to all hunting and access January 17, 2020. Reopens for hunting September 1, 2020. Due to the Illinois National Guard's training needs Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area will be closed to hunting Friday, Saturday, and Sundays throughout the months of September and October of each year. 
    • Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area - Woodford site is now open for Class C camping, and boat ramp access.  Route 26 will be closed from Richland Road to Sun Road due to road work.  People wanting to access Marshall SFWA will need to access from the North and drive around the road closure barricades at Richland Road.  People traveling from the south on Route 26 will need to take sun road to blue heron road to Richland road then around the road closure barricades.

      IDOT has estimated the closure at 1-2 weeks​ ​​​​​

    • Matthiessen State Park - Following Monday’s severe storm, all trails remain closed at Starved Rock SP and Matthiessen SP today due to debris hazards. West entrance to Starved Rock is closed; lodge guests may use the south entrance off Rt. 71. Please note the trail to Strawberry Rock and the south bridge has been reopened to hikers, but remains closed for cross county skiing. 

    • Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area - The main park road at Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area (Bureau County) will be closed from July 23 through August 10, 2020.  The IDNR, in cooperation with IDOT, will be finishing the aggregate base repair and seal coating of the main park road. The closure dates are subject to change should weather interfere with the construction schedule. During the road project closure, visitors can access the site by walking in through designated parking areas.  Visitors will not be allowed to enter the construction area. For more information on the Mautino SFWA project and main park road closure, contact the Hennepin Canal Parkway at 815-454-2328.
    • Mississippi Palisades State Park - The youth area is closed. Shelters are limited to groups of 50 or less.
    • Morrison Rockwood State Park - The campgrounds are temporarily closed to address an urgent safety concern. Equestrian trails are opened. However, please call the park prior to visiting to check for any weather-related closures. The park will also be closed to all but registered hunters for the first Fireman deer season, Nov. 22-24.
    • Pekin Lake – is closed to all vehicle access due to road deterioration, walk-in access is allowed.
    • Rice Lake SFWA - Due to excessive flooding along the Illinois River, electric camp sites are limited. The Duck Island, Rice Lake and Anderson Lake boat launches are closed. However, bank fishing is open at all sites.
    • Rock Cut - The youth camping area is closed. Shelters are limited to groups of 50 or less.

    • Shabbona Lake State Park - The archery range will be closed until August 17th. The youth camping area is closed. Shelters are limited to groups of 50 or less.

    • Starved Rock -  Following Monday’s severe storm, all trails remain closed at Starved Rock SP and Matthiessen SP today due to debris hazards. West entrance to Starved Rock is closed; lodge guests may use the south entrance off Rt. 71. Tonty (Tonti) Canyon and bridge will be closed until further notice due to hazardous trail conditions. The Youth Group Camping Area is temporarily closed due to COVID 19 guidelines until further notice.
      • The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reminds outdoors enthusiasts that the property acquired recently by the IDNR to expand recreation at Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks (the former Lone Star/Buzzi Unicem USA property) is not open to the public at this time. The entire 2,629-acre parcel will remain closed to the public while the property is evaluated for future recreational opportunities, and planning and installation of recreation facilities occurs. Violators face arrest for criminal trespass to State supported land, which is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail. Any questions may be directed to Starved Rock State Park at 815-667-4726.
      • Visitors should be aware that if the park reaches maximum capacity (meaning no parking spaces remain), the park may be closed for safety reasons until parking becomes available. Motorists are reminded not to park along park roads or public highways. This may prevent emergency vehicles from getting through. Vehicles parked illegally will be towed at the owner's expense. Visitors may check for information on park crowds and possible temporary closures as they near the park by following the Starved Rock and Matthiessen or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' (IDNR) Facebook page and the IDNR Twitter feed @IllinoisDNR.
    • White Pines Forest State Park - All campgrounds, day use areas and hiking trails will be closed to the public during the site's firearm seasons: Nov 18-20, Dec 2-4, Dec 26-29 and Jan 17-19.  The lodge, restaurant and cabins are currently closed.
    • Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area - Woodford site is now open for Class C camping, and boat ramp access.  Route 26 will be closed from Richland Road to Sun Road due to road work.  People wanting to access Marshall SFWA will need to access from the North and drive around the road closure barricades at Richland Road.  People traveling from the south on Route 26 will need to take sun road to blue heron road to Richland road then around the road closure barricades.

      IDOT has estimated the closure at 1-2 weeks​ ​​​​​

 Region 2 - Northeastern Illinois
  • Last updated:
    • Illinois Beach State Park - Illinois Beach State Park North and South unit is open daily 8am to 8pm. The beaches will be open Monday through Friday but closed Saturday and Sunday due to excessive crowds. Saturday and Sunday the beaches will only be open to registered guests of the Illinois Beach campground and the Illinois Beach Hotel. Illinois Beach State Park will have limited campsites available starting 7/2. For the month of July no reservations will be accepted, these sites will be first come, first serve. Reservations for August and September can be made online at www.ReserveAmerica.com.
    • Buffalo Rock State Park - Closed Temporarily for storm debris clean up & power outage. Playground, shelters, group activities or special events are allowed for groups of less than 50 people.
    • Chain O'Lakes State Park-  Due to flooding, the campground is closed until Sunday 07/16/17. Oak Point is also    closed. Park closes every year on October 31st  until January 1st for Hunting.
    • Channahon State Park - Playground, shelters, group activities or special events are allowed for groups of less than 50 people. No youth or group camping at this time
    • Gebhard Woods State Park - Playground, shelters, group activities or special events are allowed for groups of less than 50 people. No youth or group camping at this time.
    • Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area –  The trap range is open from January 6, 2020 thru November 1, 2019.  The Class "C" Campground will be closed indefinitely.
    • Goose Lake Prairie – Goose Lake will be closed to the public during all firearm deer hunting seasons. Goose Lake Prairie Visitor Center, shelters and playgrounds are closed.
    • I&M Canal -  Numerous Trees are down on the trail due to the high wind event on 8/10/20. Staff are working to clear them but it will take time. its best to call for details.. No youth or group camping at this time. Group activities or special events may be allowed for groups of less than 50 people with appropriate permits. Previous closure/still closed -The section of trail from Gebhard Woods in Morris heading east 1/4 mile to Calhoun St. is closed. The section of trail from Buffalo Rock Access heading west to Utica is open up to the point of the washout.
    • Kankakee River –   All turkey hunting areas except the actual bike trail itself will be closed to mushroom hunters and ALL users except KRSP permitted turkey hunters until 1pm daily from April 1 through May 4, 2020 for the Spring Turkey Hunting Season. The bike trail remains open but users should STAY ON THE TRAIL.
      Potawatomi & Chippewa Campgrounds are closed for the 2020 season until further notice. Boat launches may intermittently be closed due to high water.  
      Some of the restrooms may be closed due to maintenance issues.  The main park closes at 8:00 PM.  Reservations on ReserveAmerica.com are highly recommended.
    • Mazonia - Braidwood SFWA - Bullhead Lake is closed indefinitely.
    • McHenry Dam - Site will be closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. 
    • Momence Wetlands - The area is closed to mushroom hunters and all users except MW permitted turkey hunters until 1pm daily from April 10th through May 11th for Spring Turkey Hunting Season.
    • Moraine Hills - Site is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
    • Silver Springs - The trap and archery ranges are open March 1 - October 18 seven days a week, 8 a.m. to sunset. October 19 -  January 13 the ranges are only open Mondays & Tuesdays due to pheasant season. The ranges will be completely closed January 14 - February 29 for coyote season. The equestrian trail is closed September 1 - February 29 for hunting season. December 1 - April 1 the West/Main entrance to the park closes for the winter. The East entrance remains open all year round.
    • Volo Bog - Site is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

     


 Region 3 - East Central Illinois
  • Last updated:
    • Clinton Lake State Recreation Area - The fish cleaning station at Mascoutin boat ramp is currently closed, pending water line repairs. North Fork fish cleaning station is closed indefinitely. West Side boat ramp and dock are currently closed due to major dock repairs needed.
    • Eagle Creek Eagle Creek State Recreation Area –  The campground, water and showers are now open for the season. The high water boat ramp is open, no dock is available.  The fish cleaning station is open .  All trails are open. The golf course is open weather and course conditions dictate availability of play.
    • Fox Ridge State Park – The road leading to the North canoe access just past Ridge Lake will be closed Wednesday June 6th for road repairs. Both the North and South canoe access roads are open and no longer closed due to flooding.  Shower house, cabins and brick pavilion will be closed November 1 and reopen April 15, 2018. Due to damage from a fallen tree, the Monkey Bars and Hand Walk Bar are closed on the fitness trail until further notice. Camping, showers, cabins and the brick pavilion will be closed November 1 and reopen April 15, 2018.
    • Hidden Springs –  Big Tree Trail is closed indefinitely due to a large fallen tree from storm damage. Oak Ridge Hiking trail is closed indefinitely due to a bridge washout. Hickory and Sassafras ponds have re-opened for fishing. Water hydrants and class C camping are open for the season

    • Kickapoo  - Pond 6 bridge is closed to vehicle traffic indefinitely. Concrete is being poured at the Middle Ford River access adjacent to Kickapoo State Park Road. Foot traffic is not allowed through 7/10/20 and no vehicular traffic through 7/16/20. Periodic closures due to the ongoing  Kickapoo road repair project are expected throughout the Summer.

    • Lincoln Trail Homestead - Vault toilets and trails are now open.
    • Lincoln Trail State Park - The restaurant/concession is open for the season.
    • Middle Fork SFWA – The horse trails and campgrounds are open for the season. Water is available. During spring months, please call ahead (217-442-4915) for trail and camping conditions.
    • Moraine View State Recreation Area –  The beach is now closed for the season.  The main and primitive campgrounds are open as well as Tall Timber Group Camp.  The dump station, showers and horseback camp are open. Timber Trails Horse concession and Old Orchard group camp is closed.  Moraine View Restaurant & kayak Rental is now open for bait, soft drinks, kayak and boat rental.  May 27th will be a grand opening of the full menu restaurant with daily hours 7am to 7pm.

    • Shelbyville SFWA - The following areas at Shelbyville SFWA remain closed after the Statewide re-opening due to localized flooding and adherence to the USACOE High/Low water procedures. West Okaw Side; Bethany Boat Launch (available for small watercraft only), Eden Street Boat Launch and 2nd Gate at Cooks Rd.. Kaskaskia Side; Johnathan Creek Lower Gate, County Pit Access Rd., and Strickland Boat Launch. Those choosing to launch kayaks at Old Nelson should proceed with extreme caution.

    • Spitler Woods - (5/29/20) The indoor Ida B. Spitler pavilion remains closed due to COVID 19.  The Mt. Zion and Horseshoe flush toilets as well as a all trails are now open.
    • Walnut Point State Park – The concession, camping and shower building are now open for the season.
    • Weldon Springs State Park – Beaver Dam Trail is closed due to a foot bridge wash out.
    • Wolf Creek State Park – The campground, water and showers are now open for the season.  The boat ramp is open however the boat dock has been damaged by high winds, boaters should use caution in this area pending repairs. The fish cleaning station is temporarily closed for repairs.  The horse camp and trails are closed, weather dependent, conditions are muddy with heavy spring rains.  The Wolf Creek horse concession is closed.  Overlook trail is closed, all other hiking trails are open. The Wolf Creek Beach is closed until Memorial Day Weekend pending lake conditions.

     

 Region 4 - West Central Illinois
  • Last updated:
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    • Beaver Dam State Park - the temporary hours for the Beaver Dam Cafe/Bait Shop during Phase 4 are 11am - 7pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  8am - 8pm Saturday and Sunday.  Closed on Tuesdays.  Campers can continue to self register at the campground hosts.
    • Fall Creek Rest Area - Visitors are reminded to take all litter with them.
    • Frank Holten State Park – The Northview pavilion is closed.  
    • Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County) - the Bend Road area is closed to vehicle traffic; however, open for foot and bike traffic.  Camping is closed for the season.  
    • Illinois Caverns – Site is closed due to White Nose Syndrome. Closures will be reviewed quarterly. Complete details has been listed in separate closure notice.
    • Jim Edgar Panther Creek -  Please call the office for additional trail information at 217-452-7741, which is updated daily after 9am.  Office hours are 7:30am - 3:30pm, Monday through Friday or a time for return will be posted on the door.        
    • Kaskaskia River Area - the following boat ramps are closed: Joe's Landing, White Swan, New Athens, Evansville, Lock & Dam as well as Beck's Landing
    • Pere Marquette State Park –  One vault toilet in the Upper Picnic area is closed.  Horsetrails East and West of Graham Hollow Road are open.  Please adhere to the open/closed signs as the park DOES CLOSE the Equine Trails during adverse weather to protect the trails.  The Class A campground, Class B campground and the Campground picnic shelters will be closed through November for electrical/water and sump station upgrades.  The Visitor Center, Large Riverside Shelter, Small Riverside Shelter, Stone Shelter are available for reservations at ReserveAmerica.com.  Please note that Covid 19 protocols (social distancing, face mask, 50 persons or less etc) are to be followed.  The Equestrian concessionaire is open for business.  Reservations can be made at 618/786-2156.  Purpose of reservation only is so that the concessionaire can comply with the social distancing group protocols.  The Upper Group Camps are open with Covid-19 protocols.   The pools within the camps will remain closed for the season.  The Pere Marquette Lodge Concessionaire has re-opened.  Customers should call 618/786-2331 for reservations and for booking information.  Duncan Hill Youth Group camp is closed as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
    • Sand Ridge State Forest - Adult and youth group camping remain closed; all other forest venues are open.  Visitors are encouraged to check current conditions by calling the site office at 309-597-2212 after 9am daily and are asked to observe posted CoVid-19 guidelines upon arrival.
    • Sangchris Lake SP - the entire park is open with the exception of group camping
    • Siloam Springs SP - site has no concessionaire; therefore, there is no boat/kayak rentals

 Region 5 - Southern Illinois
  • Last updated:
    • Beall Woods - Tuliptree, White Oak, Schneck and Sweet Gum trails are open, Ridgway Trail is currently closed.
    • Cache River State Natural Area - Please be aware that IDNR is working in conjunction with Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge to re-develop a Containment Basin located one half mile south of the Lower Cache Access boat ramp. This work is being performed using heavy equipment and will continue on and off through the 2019-2020 Waterfowl hunting season. 
    • Cave In Rock State Park - The shower house has been closed for the season.
    • Dixon Springs State Park - The public swimming pool and barracks (group camp area) will remain closed until further notice due to COVID-19.
    • Embarras River Bottoms State Habitat Area - is closed due to flooding.
    • Fort Massac –  The road in back of the park will be shut down while bridge repair is completed beginning Tuesday, July 27th. Bikers may access the concrete bike trail from Belgrade Road and Strawberry Road, however it will not be accessible from the park. The inside of the 1802 American Fort will be closed to the public until further notice for public safety.

    • Giant City State Park - Giant City Nature Trail maintenance will begin Tuesday, July 28. Trail head and sections of the trail will be closed; "Streets" and Balanced Rock will be accessible from Shelter #2 during this time. Giant City Group Camp remains closed due to Covid-19. Shelters and playgrounds are open to a limit of 50 people max. Please wear a mask while in the Visitors Center. Giant City Lodge cabins and restaurant are open. For further details please contact them directly, 618-457-4921 or visit their facebook page, for details. Giant City Stables is open for business; contact them directly at 618-529-4110 for hours and/or reservations.

    • Golconda Marina –  Rauchfuss Hill is currently closed.
    • Horseshoe Lake - Shelter areas and playgrounds are closed due to COVID guidelines.
    • Kinkaid Lake - The Kinkaid-Reed Conservancy District will begin lowering Kinkaid Lake on Monday November 4. Depending on winter rainfall amounts, Kinkaid Lake may drop a total of 3.5 feet. The two main boat ramps (Mt Joy and Paul Ice) should remain functional during this drawdown. Although recently dredged, caution should be used when attempting to launch at the Johnson Creek boat ramp. The stop logs will be replaced in the beginning of March 2020.
    • Lake Murphysboro -  Walk-A-Way Trail will be temporarily closed for trail improvements.
    • Newton Lake – Section 6 Pond (Hamm James) is currently closed. The mountain bike trail is closed indefinitely due to washed out areas.​ 
    • Rauchfuss Hill - Closed until further notice.
    • Red Hills State Park - The Trace Inn is currently closed.
    • Sahara Woods - The OHV construction area at Sahara Woods will be closed to all activities until further notice due to ongoing construction. This includes roughly 1400 acres of the northwest part of the park.
    • Stephen A Forbes State Park - Due to COVID 19 mandated closures the Stephen A Forbes Beach will be closed until further notice. Lakeside Restaurant is currently closed. Lakeside Marina is open, please contact the Park office for Information.

    • Trail of Tears State Forest - Trail of Tears Group Camp remains closed due to Covid-19. Shelters and playgrounds are open to a limit of 50 people max.

    • Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park - Shelter areas, playgrounds and drinking fountains are closed due to COVID guidelines.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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