Current Closures of DNR Sites and Areas

Apple River Canyon- the following satellite areas will be closed to all but permitted hunters, Nov 20-22, Dec 3-6, 11-13, Dec 31-Jan 3, and Jan 15-17: 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 Nov. 20th -22nd (first firearm season deer season), Dec. 3rd-6th (2nd firearm season),​ Dec. 11th -13th (Muzzleloader season), Dec. 31-Jan. 3rd, and Jan. 15th - 17th (Special CWD season). 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). The equestrian trails and campground will close for the season on November 30th.

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:

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 on Thursday, November 5th and Friday, November 6th, 2020 for the Disabled Outdoor Shotgun Deer Hunt. Additionally, the Johnson-Sauk Trail campground will close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 4th to begin setup for the program. Johnson-Saul Trail will re-open to the public Saturday, November 7th.

Kishwaukee River SFWA - is closed for site specific permitted ​Spring Turkey hunters.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na - January 1, 2020 through September 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 Nov. 20th-22nd (first firearm deer season), Dec. 3rd-6th (2nd firearm deer season), Dec. 31 - Jan. 3rd, and Jan. 15th - 17th (Special CWD season).

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 - No stand-by firearm deer hunting allowed in the 2020 season.

Matthiessen State Park - The ski trail, leading out of the archery range, at the Southern most part of the VRA is closed. Equestrian trails and Equestrian camping are now open as of May 1st and will close the first week of November for the winter season.

Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area -

Mississippi Palisades State Park -

Morrison Rockwood State Park - The equestrian trails are closed while park staff continues to clear hazardous trees from recent storm damage (OUR HIKING TRAILS ARE BACK OPEN). The entire park will be closed November 20-22 for the first firearm deer season. 2020 firearm deer restrictions: No standby drawing will take place this year. Site specific permit holders only. Permit holders will be contacted by the site. 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 bait shop, boat rental, restaurant and camp store are all closed pending the sale of the concession business.

Starved Rock - All trails are opened, with the exception of the Owl Canyon Overlook  and Tonti Canyon. The Visitors' Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and closed on weekends and holidays.

White Pines Forest State Park - The ford water crossings through Pine Creek are closed for the winter season due to weather conditons. 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. The entire park (including all campgrounds, day use areas and hiking trails) will be closed to the public during the site's firearm seasons: Nov 16-18 (2020), Nov 30, Dec 1-2 (2020), Dec 31 (2020), Jan 1-3 (2021) and Jan 15-17 (2021).

Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area - Camping is closed from Oct 1 - March 31 annually.

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- Park is closed from October 31st (or first day of hunting season) until December 26th. Camping resumes January 1st annually. Contact the park for additional questions.

Channahon State Park - Playground, shelters, group activities or special events are allowed for groups of less than 50 people.

Gebhard Woods State Park - Playground, shelters, group activities or special events are allowed for groups of less than 50 people.

Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area – Due to COVID-19, there will not be a 2020 Non-Permit Pheasant Season (Clean Up Week). 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. 

I&M Canal - Snowmobile Trail is closed.  Group activities or special events may be allowed for groups of less than 50 people with appropriate permits. Specific trail closures -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 ExploreMoreIL 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 28 for coyote season. The equestrian trail is closed September 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021; then October 16, 2021 - April 20th, 2022. 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.

William Powers - Effective March 29th 2021 thru June 29th 2021, Double boat ramp at William Powers SFWA will be closed due to construction up grades of ramp and parking, also access to the 133rd and Ave K parking will close due to construction of a new boat ramp and parking lot.

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area – The campground is open, shower buildings are open and water is on.  Boondocks Grill & Bait is open.  Mascoutin Beach is closed until Memoiral Day weekend 2021.  All fishing cleaning stations at Clinton Lake are closed indefinitely.

Eagle Creek Eagle Creek State Recreation Area – The campground and amenities are open. The boat ramp and fish cleaning station are open. All trails are available and shelters are open for groups of 50 or less. The golf course is open.

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 both vehicle and foot traffic indefinitely. The IDNR portion of the Kickapoo Rail Trail is closed while under construction. The low water crossing on 1180 E is closed to foot and bike traffic when wet due to slick conditions. Sportsman's Lake Road, Skyline Drive, and the road to Inland Sea will close upon the first snowfall for the winter. Areas open to deer hunting will be closed to all activities except to hunters in possession of a site specific permit during firearms and muzzleloader deer season. Areas open to spring turkey hunting will be closed to all activities except hunters in possession of a site specific permit during turkey hunting hours. Periodic trail closures may occur for prescribed fire.

Lincoln Trail Homestead - Park is now open for the season.  Outdoor pavilions are open for reservations beginning 4/16/21 through 10/15/21 and at this time are limited to 50 occupants per Regional COVID-19 parameters. Vault toilets are also open for public use.  The site will update pavilion status based on Regional COVID-19 parameters as provided by IDPH.

Reservations can be made @ camp.exploremoreil.com 

Lincoln Trail State Park - The restaurant/concession is open for the season.

Middle Fork SFWA – 2250 N Road and the horse campground will close upon the first snowfall of the winter until spring. Areas open to deer hunting will be closed to all activities except to hunters in possession of a site specific permit during firearms and muzzleloader deer season. Areas open to spring turkey hunting will be closed to all activities except hunters in possession of a site specific permit during turkey hunting hours. Periodic trail closures may occur for prescribed fire. Trap shooting range is non-toxic shot (size 6 or smaller) and rifles or shotguns with slugs are NOT allowed.

Moraine View State Recreation Area – The beach is now closed for the season. The main and primitive campgrounds are open (Gander Bay and Catfish Bay) except for Tall Timber and the Group Camp. The dump station and showers are closed. Timber Trails Horse concession and Old Orchard group camp is closed. Moraine View Restaurant & Kayak Rental is closed for the season. Horse camp and Horse Trails are currently closed for the season starting Nov. 04, 2020 and will not reopen until April 15, 2021.

Spitler Woods - All outdoor pavilions, trails, and playgrounds are open for use to groups of 50 or less. Pavilions are first come first serve throughout the off season (10/16 to 4/15) all outdoor pavilions will open for reservations on April 16, 2021. Currently outdoor pavilions are limited to 50 occupants due to COVID-19 restrictions, the site will continually update parameters as notified by IDPH.   All flush restrooms are currently open for the season and will remain so until 10/15/21. The indoor pavilion (Ida B. Spitler) will open on April 1st, currently the limit is 40 occupants per COVID-19 parameters for indoor venues. Unless COVID-19 forces changes, this building will remain open until 10/31/21. The site will update the status of the indoor pavilion based on Regional COVID-19 parameters as provided by IDPH.

Walnut Point State Park – The concession, camping and shower building are now open for the season.

Weldon Springs State Park – The campground is open year-round, the shower building is open, and water is on.  Interpretive Center is closed until Memorial Day 2021.  Concessions will open later this Spring.

Wolf Creek State Park – Due to campsite and road work, the Sand Creek Camping Section will be closed from Monday, Oct. 19th until at least Thursday, Oct. 22nd. The Lick Creek Section will have rolling closures for the remainder of the month which may impact reservations. Campsites will be available, but site specificity can’t be guaranteed. The boat ramp and fish cleaning stations are open. Wolf Creek beach is closed for the season. All trails including the equestrian trail are open and shelters are open to groups of 50 or less.

Baldwin Lake - park hours are 6am - 9pm

Beaver Dam State Park - The restaurant and bait shop are open for the season.  Hunting area 1 is closed until 1pm each day throughout turkey season.  Mushroom hunters can access the area after 1pm.  Campers can register for campsites at the park office.

Fall Creek Rest Area - This area is open to foot traffic only. 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, it is 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 - All trails and hunter access areas are closed until 1pm daily April 12th - May 13th for turkey season. 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, pending weather conditions.  Please adhere to the open/closed signs as the park DOES CLOSE the Equine Trails during adverse weather to protect the trails. The Large Riverside Shelter, Small Riverside Shelter, Stone Shelter are available for reservations at www.Camp.ExploreMoreIL. Please note that Covid 19 protocols (social distancing, face mask, person/ group size, etc) are to be followed. The Equestrian concessionaire is open on Saturdays and Sundays starting May 1. The Upper Group Camps are opened for the season, call us at 618-786-3323 to inquire about our Group Camp lottery

Sand Ridge State Forest - Backcountry camp site #1 is closed for ongoing timber stand improvement in the area; all other seasonal 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 fishing cleaning station is currently closed.

Siloam Springs SP - site has no concessionaire; therefore, there is no boat/kayak rentals.  The Lakeside cabin is now available for reservations at www.Camp.ExploreMoreIL.com.   All horse trails are closed until 1pm due to turkey season.  They will re-open after 1pm daily for horseman and mushroom hunters.

​Washington County CA - Shower house and Concession are closed for the season. Class B/E and Class C camping and Rent-A-Cabins are available.

Weinburg King State Park - All horse trails will be closed until 1pm daily throughout turkey season.   They are available to horseman and mushroom hunters after 1pm.  

Beall Woods - Tuliptree, White Oak, Schneck and Sweet Gum are open. Ridgway Trail is 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.

Giant City State Park -  Giant City State Park is open and we are following the most recent safety guidelines. Please wear a mask while in the Visitors Center and all locations where a 6' distance cannot be maintained. The campground is open but the shower house is closed for the season.  Giant City Stables is open for therapy and lessons; contact them directly at 618-529-4110 for hours and/or reservations.

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 - Due to a system glitch, please be aware that some Camping Reservations for high demand times may not be valid. You may receive a notice of cancelation and refund. Walk-A-Way Trail will be temporarily closed for trail improvements.

Rauchfuss Hill - The Day Use area is now open.

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 - The Shower House is currently closed for repairs. The RV dump station is closed until further notice due to a water leak. The Equestrian Camp and Trails are closed for the season. The Fish Cleaning station at the East Marina is currently closed. 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 closed.

Trail of Tears State Forest - North and South Forest Roads will be closed from December 24 through May 6.

Tunnel Hill State Trail - The portion of Tunnel Hill between Karnak and Wetland Center is currently closed for repairs.

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park - Shady Rest loop is the only loop open for camping at the present time.