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
(multiple access points)

Official Website
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.bannermarsh.html

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); training requires permit (available from Rice Lake SFWA)
 
Map(s) On Site and/or Online: 
Online:  https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:7e823c99-9e85-45c5-9c75-c6c0b1dfaaaf  and through official Arcgis & IDNR website​
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:  designated IBA (Important Bird Areas); 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 IDNR Brochure (PDF)
Banner Marsh Water Trail Map, East Point Access (PDF)

More Information:  ​
Outdoor Illinois Shorebirds article at https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:2e0acf13-da7b-477e-bb1e-dc5fbeb367e8

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.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/canton/birding/banner-marsh-state-fish-wildlife-area/

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