Current Closures of DNR Sites and Areas

Apple River Canyon-Apple River Canyon Salem/Thompson Units, Hanover Bluff SNA, Rall Woods SNA, Tapley Woods, Winston Tunnel SNA.  Areas  closed to all but Site-Specific Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Holders on the following dates: October 9, 10, 11; November 19, 20, 21; December 2, 3, 4, 5, 30, 31; January 1, 2, 14, 15, 16 (2022). Area closed until 1 pm to all but site-specific Turkey Hunting Permit Holders: March 26-27, April 2-3, April 11- May 12 (2022).  Wards Grove NP: Area closed to all but Site-Specific Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Holders on the following dates:  October 9, 10, 11; November 19, 20, 21; December 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 30, 31; January 1, 2, 14, 15, 16 (2022). Witkowsky SFWA: Area closed to all but Site-Specific Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Holders on the following dates: October 9, 10, 11; November 19. 20, 21; December 2, 3, 4, 5, 30, 31: January 1, 2, 14, 15, 16 (2022). Area closed until 1 pm to all but Site-Specific Turkey Hunting Permit Holders: March 26-27, April 2-3, April 11- May 12 (2022).

Anderson Lake - Camping at the South Camp is available but on a limited basis due to flooding.

Argyle Lake - The road around the lake has been closed for season effective November 16 of each year and will reopen March 15 of each year, weather permitting.

Castle Rock State Park - will be closed Nov. 19th-21st (first firearm season deer season), Dec. 2nd - 5th (2nd firearm season),​ Dec. 10th -12th (Muzzleloader season), Dec. 30-Jan. 2nd, and Jan. 14th - 16th (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 - The equestrian campground and trails are closed for the winter/spring season. Updates are regularly posted on the answering machine. Please call for the most up-to-date information.

French Bluff State Natural Area - will be closed for firearm deer hunting Nov 19-21, Dec 2-5, Dec 10-12, Dec 30- Jan 2, and Jan 14-16.

Henderson County –

Henderson Creek Access Area -

Hennepin Canal Closures:

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area - Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Kaskaskia hiking trails are currently closed. Lakeshore Loop is closed for the season and will re-open May 1, 2022. The campground shower building and water hydrants are closed for the season and will re-open May 1, 2022.

Kishwaukee River SFWA -  will be closed to all but permitted archery hunters and site-specific permit shotgun hunters starting Oct. 1.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na - The lake is closed to all activities such as fishing, boating and swimming until the lake reaches normal levels.  We do not anticipate this to occur until late fall or early spring based on the current weather conditions.  Additional information can be obtained by contacting the site. The park will be closed to all but Site-Specific Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Holders November 19, 20, 21 for youth shotgun hunt. Park will reopen Monday November 22nd. Equestrian area is closed November 15h thru April 15th.

The LaSalle Lake - LaSalle Lake will open for the season on Tuesday, March 15, at 6 am.  The site will be open daily 6 am to sunset.  LaSalle Lake has a new phone number: 815/640-8099.  Please call this number to check weather conditions if you are planning to launch a boat to fish.  We update the message on the lake phone by 6 am each day that staff is available to do so. If windspeeds are forecasted to be 14 mph or above on any given day there will be no access to fish by boat.

Lowden Miller Forest - will be closed Nov. 19th - 21st (first firearm deer season), Dec. 2nd - 5th(2nd firearm deer season), Dec. 30th - Jan. 2nd, and Jan. 14th - 16th (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 - Closed Until Further Notice: Lake Falls (lower access on staircase) and Cascade Falls (lower access on staircase). Closed Monday May 2nd, 2022 until August 1, 2022: Matthiessen Dells entrance road and parking lot. Matthiessen Lake Shelter access road and parking lot from Route 71.

Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area -

Mississippi Palisades State Park - will be closed (except the campground) for firearm deer hunting Nov 19-21, Dec 2-5, Dec 30-Jan 2, and Jan 14-16.

Morrison Rockwood State Park - Equestrian trails and hiking trails are both open. Equestrian trails will close Nov. 1st - April 30th. The entire park will be closed November 19-21 for the first firearm deer season.  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 -

Rock Cut - the I-90 bridge and the Olson Annex will be closed starting March 14, 2022 for park improvements.

Shabbona Lake State Park -  Oct. 1 - Jan. 20 annually all hiking trails except Arrowhead and Touch the Earth are closed for hunting season. Starting Nov. 1, the shower building is closed, as are Merganser Loop and Teal Bay Loop in the campground. Canvasback Cove Loop remains open as first-come, first-serve, self-registration.

Starved Rock - Owl Canyon Overlook, Beehive Overlook, Tonti Canyon Bridge, Tonti Canyon  are closed.  The campground is closed Nov. 18-21, and Dec. 1-5 for hunting season. Nov. 19-21, Dec. 2-5, and 10-12 Hennepin Canyon parking lot and Starved Rock Nature Preserve are closed for hunting season. Dec. 30 - Jan. 2, and Jan. 14 - 16 the Nature Preserve is also closed for hunting. French Canyon and the brown bluff above French Canyon are closed. 

White Pines Forest State Park -  The Cedar Ridge Campground shower building is closed for the winter/spring season. It is expected to open on April 29, 2022. Occasionally due to water levels the fords must be closed. The day use area between the first two fords and the campgrounds can be accessed by vehicle using the entrance road near the southwest corner of the park.

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

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

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 Praire will be closed to the public during all firearm deer hunting seasons. The Visitor Center is closed indefinitely. 

Heidecke Lake - If wind speeds are forecast to be 25mph or above at any time during the day, Heidecke Lake access to boat fishing will be closed. Bank fishing will still be available at the Heidecke Lake Bank Fishing Area off E. Collins Rd. Wind speeds are check daily by using the NOAA wind forecast at the Morris Muni-James R Washburn Field Airport here.

I&M Canal 

Kankakee River – The bike trail remains open but users should STAY ON THE TRAIL.
The Chippewa Campground is closed for the 2021 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 range and archery range are open annually March 1st- August 31st, seven days a week 7 am to sunset. 

Both are closed annually  September 1st - 5th  for the first five days of dove season, and the month of February for coyote season.

For 2021-22, they will open back up seven days a week September 6th – October 14th . Starting the 15th, they will only be open on Mondays and Tuesdays until the end of pheasant season, January 8th, 2022. January 9th they will open back up seven days a week until January 31st .

The equestrian trail is closed annually September 1st – 30th for dove season.

For 2021-22, the trail will be open October 1st – 14th,  then be closed October 15th, 2021 – April 20th 2022 for hunting seasons.

December 1 – April 1 the West/main entrance of the park closes for winter.

Region II Office (Bartlett) - Closed to the public.

Volo Bog - Site is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area – Mascoutin Beach will open for the season on May 27^th.  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 – North Canoe Access Road is OPEN.

Hidden Springs – Hickory Ridge Pond is open. 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. Sassafras pond is open 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 low water crossing on 1180 E is closed to foot and bike traffic when wet due to slick conditions. Sportsman's Lake Road, I-74 Loop, Fox campground, Erie campground, Redear campground and the road to Inland Sea will be closed at upon the first snowfall 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 until 1:00 PM except hunters in possession of a site specific permit during turkey hunting hours. Periodic trail closures may occur for prescribed fire. Mountain bike trails are closed from the Monday before shotgun deer season until the Monday following muzzleloader deer season. Mushroom hunting is prohibited in nature preserves and land and water reserves. Areas posted notifying of a prescribed burn are closed on the day of the burn.

Lincoln Trail Homestead - Please be aware Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial  is currently still open. Patrons must now access the park from the North via Old Route 36 heading South on S. Lincoln Memorial.  You may go around the signs, however traffic is not permitted past the bridge over the Sangamon River.  Thank you for your patience and sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.  Projected completion date per Macon County Highway Department is 7/31/22.   Outdoor pavilion reservations can currently be made for 4/16/22 through 10/15/22.  Prior to 4/16 and between 10/16 until the winter closure period the pavilions may be used on a "first come first serve bases".  Reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL™.

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

Middle Fork SFWA – CLOSED: All trails and foot traffic are closed near the power line south of 2250N Road due to a power pole replacement. Trails will reopen once this is complete. 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. Mushroom hunting is prohibited in nature preserves and land and water reserves. Areas posted notifying of a prescribed burn are closed on the day of the burn. Horse trails are closed from the Monday before shotgun deer season until the Monday following muzzleloader deer season.

Moraine View State Recreation Area – Dam is still closed on both sides of Dawson Lake Road due to on going road project.

Shelbyville State Fish & Wildlife Area - Cooks Access Area closed at second gate due to high water levels.

Spitler Woods - All outdoor pavilions, trails, and playgrounds are open for use. Pavilions are first come first serve throughout the off season (10/16/21 - 4/15/22) all outdoor pavilions will open for reservations beginning on April 16, 2022 and remain available for reservation until 10/15/22. Currently outdoor pavilions have returned to previous capacity levels (100 based on parking availability), the site will continually update capacity parameters as notified by IDPH. All flush restrooms are currently closed for the season and will remain so until 4/16/22, portable restrooms have been provided near the Horseshoe Pavilion. The indoor pavilion (Ida B. Spitler) is closed for the season, this building will re-open on April 1st, 2022. The site will update the status of the indoor/outdoor pavilion capacities based on Regional COVID-19 parameters as provided by IDPH. Reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL™

****As of 9/3/21 the Horseshoe flush toilet is closed for remodeling, 2 portable toilets have been placed just down from the pavilion****

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

Weldon Springs State Park – Union School Interpretive Center will open to the public on weekends beginning May 28^th.  Weldon Springs' Boat Rental/Concession 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 8am - 4pm

Beaver Dam State Park - The restaurant and bait shop are closed for the season with plans to re-open April 2022.   The fish cleaning station as well as the restroom are closed for the season.  Big Deer Campground is closed until further notice due to electrical problems.

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 – is back open after high water.

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 - Open.

Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Questing Hills campground as well as the equestrian trails will close for the season on 11/15/21 and continue through 4/15/2022.  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.

Nauvoo State Park - shelter house is closed for the season

Pere Marquette State Park – Scenic Drive, Mailbox Road, Army Road and Upper Park Road are closed, result of the inclement weather conditions and hazardous road conditions.  This closure will remain in effect for a short period of time.  Please call the park off for trail, road and park updates.  The Sam Vadalabene bike trail, hiking trails and horse trails will remain closed for public safety measures.  The access road leading into the Copperhead Hollow Wildlife Management Area will be closed due to weather conditions.  One vault toilet at the Harbor is closed.  Horse trails West of Graham Hollow Road are available for trail riding while the trail EAST of Graham Hollow Road is closed for 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. Riders can call 618-786-2311 ext 4 for phone updates as well.  The site is in communication with the main office concerning Upper Group Camp lottery for the 2022 season.  Upper Group Camp interests can be answered at the site office 618-786-3323.  The Large Riverside Shelter, Small Riverside Shelter, Stone Shelter are available for reservations at www.Camp.ExploreMoreIL.  The Equestrian concessionaire is open for the season, please contact 618-786-2156.   

Sand Ridge State Forest - All seasonal venues except snowmobile trails are open; snowmobiling is allowed with 4 or more inches of snow.  Visitors are encouraged to check current conditions by calling the site office at 309-597-2212 after 9am daily. 

Sangchris Lake SP - Deer run campground is closed for the season as well as Hickory Point campground; April 1st, 2022 re-opening is anticipated.  The west boat dock is closed to fisherman for waterfowl season as well as he east and west arms of the lakes; only the middle arm of the lake can be fished during this time.  Areas will re-open February 1, 2022.  Equestrian Trails are CLOSED due to flooding.

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.  Equine camping as well as trails are closed for the season.

​Washington County CA - Self-pay registration is available at Shady Rest campground or the park office since the campground host will not return until April.  The campground shower house and dump station are closed during the sewer plant project with a projected opening in April.  Got-a-Bite concessions is closed for the season with a planned re-opening of April 1st.  Rustic Cabin B in Shady Rest campground is closed for heater repair/replacement.

Weinberg King State Park - the equine trails and campgrounds are open for the season.

Beall Woods - White Oak (bottomland portion), Schneck and Sweet Gum are closed due to flooding. Tuliptree is open. Ridgway Trail is closed due to bridge collapse.

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 Rock - The shower house is closed for the season. 

Giant City State Park -  Giant City Lodge is closed for the season, it will re-open on February 4, 2022. Post Oak Trail is closed for construction. Horse trail construction upgrades and re-route have begun on the section east of the trailhead, to Giant City Lodge Road. Construction activity will occur in short sections of the original trail, as indicated by signs, with periodic closures in these areas. Please use caution in these areas until the work is completed. Horse Trail is closed until May 1st. Giant City Stables is open for therapy and lessons; contact them directly at 618-529-4110 for hours .

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.

Ramsey Lake State Park - The Equestrian Trail and the Old Fox Chase Hiking Trail will be closed on November 1, 2021. They will reopen in the Spring.

Rauchfuss Hill - The Day Use area is closed due to large tree blocking the road. Will open as soon as the tree has been cleared.

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 restaurant has closed for the season. Rocky Point Beach is closed for the season. It will reopen Memorial Day weekend 2022. 

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

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park - Primitive Tent Camping is currently closed.