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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


      

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

 Region 1 - Northwestern Illinois
  • Last updated: 9/28/2020
    • 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 20-22 (2020), Dec 3-6 (2020), Dec 31 (2020), and Jan 1-3 (2021) and Jan 15-17 (2021). 
    • 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 - will open for Archery hunting October 1st, 2020. 
    • 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 - Recent Storm Damage Announcement: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Pages/Main-Areas-Trails-at-Starved-Rock-and-Matthiessen-State-Parks--Closed-Due-to-Storm-Damage.aspx

    • Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area - 
    • Mississippi Palisades State Park - The youth area is closed. Shelters are limited to groups of 50 or less.
    • Morrison Rockwood State Park - The equestrian trails and hiking trails at Morrison Rockwood are temporarily closed due to recent storm damage. The trails will remain closed indefinitely while park staff continues to clear hazardous trees. The park will also be closed to all but registered hunters for the first Fireman deer season, Nov. 20-22. For more information please contact the park office at 815-772-4708.
    • Pekin Lake – is closed to all vehicle access due to road deterioration, walk-in access is allowed.
    • Powerton Lake - Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area near Pekin will be closed Tues., Aug. 18 – Tues., Sept. 15 while maintenance repairs are made on the Powerton Lake levee.  Powerton Lake is the cooling lake for the NRG Powerton Generating Station and NRG is coordinating the project. 
    • 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 youth camping area is closed. Shelters are limited to groups of 50 or less. October 1, 2020 - January 19, 2021 all hiking trails except Arrowhead and Touch the Earth are closed for hunting season. Starting Nov. 1, 2020, the shower building, Merganser loop and Teal Bay loop will be closed for winter.  All camping will then be first come, first serve, self-registration for our Canvasback Cove loop. Self-registration envelopes are located at the check station.

    • Starved Rock -  Due to recent storm damage, the following trails will remain closed: Hennepin Canyon/Hennepin Canyon Overlook, Owl Canyon and Overlook, Hidden Canyon, La Salle Canyon, Tonti Canyon.
    • White Pines Forest State Park - The lodge, restaurant and cabins are closed until a new concessionaire is found. We are hopeful they will be open Spring 2021. Fox Canyon and Spring Creek youth group campgrounds are closed until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions. All campgrounds, day use areas and hiking trails will be closed to the public during the site's firearm seasons: Nov 18-20 (2020), Dec 1-2 (2020), Dec 31 (2020), Jan 1-3 (2020) and Jan 15-17 (2021). 
    • 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:


    • Buffalo Rock State Park - 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 -   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. 
    • 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 intermittingly starting 9/15/2020  through 12/15/2020 due to Road Construction, effecting access to the North canoe access and hunter parking lots 1,2 and 3. Shower house, cabins and brick pavilion will be closed November 1 and reopen April 15. 
    • 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.
    • Spitler Woods - All outdoor pavilions, trails, playgrounds, and associated restrooms are open to groups of 50 or less.  The indoor pavilion (Ida B. Spitler) remains closed due to COVID-19 parameters, refunds are being automatically populated on a rolling calendar basis. There is no need to request a refund.
    • 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.  
    • Pere Marquette State Park –  One vault toilet in the Upper Picnic area is closed.  Horse trails West of Graham Hollow Road are open, the Horse trails East of Graham Hollow Road are closed due to the hunting season.  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.  As construction moves forward, the agency will be better able to predict the campground re-opening.   The 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 - All forest venues are open except for organized group camping which remains closed.   Blaze orange/pink caps and vests are required for everyone in Sand Ridge during the Youth Firearm Deer season, October 10 - 12, 2020.  For current conditions, 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 - All of Deer Run campground will be closed Sept 28 - 30th for final road work.  Pheasant Run is closed for road work.  Access Areas 2 and 3 are closed for repair work.  Group camp is closed.  West horse trail is closed.
    • 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 - The Visitors Center at Giant City will be closed Sunday, September 13th to Tuesday, September 15th and Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th. 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 –  The Golconda Marina will be closed beginning Monday, August 17th for approximately 2 weeks in order to make needed repairs. 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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