Banner Marsh State Fish & Wildlife Area
(including Banner Marsh Water Trail)

Peoria County & Fulton County, Illinois

Latitude/Longitude
Main Entrance:  40.53958051, -89.8643885
Bell's Landing:  40.50869602, -89.89900283

19721 North US 24
Canton, IL 61520

Official Website
https://huntillinois.org/sites/banner-marsh-sfwa/
https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/BannerMarsh.aspx

Activities: 
Water (paddle, fish)
Other (hunt*, view wildlife, picnic)
​*Be aware, be safe.  ALL visitors should see below.
 
Season/Hours:  year round but activities restricted during waterfowl hunting season
 
Dog Friendly:  yes (leashed)
 
Map(s) On Site and/or Online: 
Online:  https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/FactSheets/Documents/BannerMarshHuntMap.pdf
On Site: no
 
Parking: parking lots
 
Amenities:  picnic tables, benches   
 
Restrooms:  yes
 
Trail Info Websites/Apps:  no
 
Cost:  free admission                
 
Historical and/or Scientific Significance:  birding hotspot
 
Terrain/Views/Access: 
forest, open grass space, prairie
wetland view & access, lake view & access 
 
General Description:  4363-acre freshwater marsh
 
OPAL’s Observations & Opinions:  There are three public access points into the marsh. The marsh is also home to the Banner Marsh Water Trail Project. 

Main Entrance:  

Bell's Landing:

Trail/Park Maps & Brochures (downloadable):
Banner Marsh Water Trail Map, East Point Access (PDF)

More Information:  ​https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/OI/Documents/April06Shorebird.pdf

https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/strip-mines-are-gold-mines-for-recreation/

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L340501?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L340496?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L340501?yr=all

https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/banner-marsh-state-fish-and-wildlife-area

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/BannerMarsh.aspx
​
https://paddling.com/paddle/trips/banner-marsh-state-fish-wildlife-area-in-illinois/?lat=40.5373&lng=-89.8616&zoom=14

http://www.illinoispaddling.info/2015/09/banner-marsh-water-trail-project/

​​https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/banner-marsh-state-fish-and-wildlife-area

​http://www.illinoispaddling.info/2017/11/banner-marsh/

​https://www.pjstar.com/article/20160424/news/160429615

Managed by:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
309-647-9184

*Prior to visiting, ALL prospective visitors should check hunting information on the IL DNR website
https://huntillinois.org/​ .
​Some sites may have signs indicating “Hunting in Progress” in place at the parking lots.  Some will have NO indication of hunting.
Be AWARE ~ Be SAFE.

Main Area:

Bell's Landing: