Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

Mason County, Illinois

Latitude/Longitude
Headquarters: 40.364423, -89.998342
Eagle Bluff Public Use Area:  40.373610, -89.979411
Goofy Ridge (Main St) Parking:  40.399493, -89.941516

Multiple Access Points
Headquarters at
​19031 E County Road 2110N
Havana, IL  62644

Official Website
​https://www.fws.gov/refuge/chautauqua/

Activities: 
Trails (hiking)
Water (paddle, fish)
Other (view wildlife, picnic, hunt*)
*Be aware, be safe.  ALL visitors should see below.
 
Season/Hours:  sunrise to sunset; some sections/activities open seasonally; trails open year round
 
Dog Friendly:  yes (leashed if not hunting)
 
Map(s) On Site and/or Online: 
Online:  https://www.fws.gov/uploadedImages/Region_3/NWRS/Zone_1/Illinois_River_Complex/Chautauqua/Sections/Maps/CHT-NEWmap.jpg
On Site:   yes
 
Parking:  parking lots
 
Amenities:  picnic tables, benches
 
Restrooms:  yes (near the refuge headquarters and at Eagle Bluff access)
 
Trail Info Websites/Apps:  All Trails     
​
​Cost:  free admission
 
Historical and/or Scientific Significance: designated as  a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance (part of the Emiquon Complex); geological; birding hotspot
 
Terrain/Views/Access:  forest, hills, wetland view & access, lake view & access, stream/river view & access
 
General Description:  4793-acre national wildlife refuge (3670 acres of moist soil/wetlands, 720 acres bottomland forest, 120 acres upland forest); Includes Cameron-Billsbach National Wildlife Refuge; part of Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex.
 
OPAL’s Observations & Opinions:  

Headquarters:

Eagle Bluff Public Use Area:

Goofy Ridge (Main Street) Parking:

Trail/Park Maps & Brochures (downloadable):
Chautauqua NWR Nature Trails (PDF)
​Chautauqua NWR Regulations (PDF)
Illinois River Tour, Chautauqua & Emiquon (PDF)
​Chautauqua NWR Areas Map (PDF)
Chautauqua NWR Site Map (PDF)
Illinois River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Complex Bird Checklist (PDF)
US Fish &  Wildlife Service’s Management Role on Illinois River 

More Information:
​​https://ebird.org/hotspot/L160183

https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/as_article/creating-sanctuary/

https://thelamponline.com/5079/campus-news/the-sands-of-mason-county/

http://ilrdss.sws.uiuc.edu/pubs/govconf2013/session1b/Barry_B1.pdf
​
https://www.peoriaaudubon.org/lbs_chautauqua.htm

https://www.peoriamagazines.com/as/2015/may-jun/creating-sanctuary

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DimWAPq3tJI

https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147618630

https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=6442458064
​
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Chautauqua/what_we_do/get_involved.html

https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/havana/nature-outdoor-recreation/chautauqua-national-wildlife-refuge/
​
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1346

https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/chautauqua-national-wildlife-refuge#

https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/244618-Chautauqua-National-Wildlife-Refuge-Check-List

Managed by:
​Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
Admin Building and Visitor Contact Station
19031 E County Road 2110N
Havana, IL  62644
309-535-2290
​[email protected]

*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.