Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area
(including Aitchison Refuge)

Marshall County & Peoria County, Illinois

Latitude/Longitude
Trailhead:
40.9562613, -89.4192925

East Side of River (Marshall Unit): 
40.95432, -89.42923
​
West Side of River at Wightman Lake
​(Spring Branch & Sparland Units):
​41.0054, -89.43922

​Trailhead:
231 Blue Heron Rd, Lacon, IL 61540

​East Side of River (Marshall Unit):
236 IL Rt 26, Lacon, IL  61540
​
​West Side of River (Spring Branch & Sparland Units):​
Railroad St (IL Rt 29), Sparland, IL 61565

 Official Website
​https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/Marshall.aspx

Activities: 
Trails (hiking; east side)
Camping (by permit, tent, RV campground on east side;  island canoe camping when waterfowl not in season)
Water (paddle, fish); stop on Greater Peoria Canoe and Kayak Trail)​
Snow (snowshoe, cross-country ski)
Other (hunt*, view wildlife, picnic)
​*Be aware, be safe.  ALL visitors should see below.
 
Season/Hours:  unknown
 
Dog Friendly:  yes (leashed)
 
Map(s) On Site and/or Online: 
Online:  none found
On Site:   trail map sign on east side at campground and also at trailhead kiosk on Blue Heron Road
 
Parking:  parking lots
 
Amenities:  benches, shelter, picnic tables    
 
Restrooms:  vault toilets
 
Trail Info Websites/Apps:  no
 
Cost:  free admission; fee to camp                
 
Historical and/or Scientific Significance:
​birding hotspot
 
Terrain/Views/Access: 
forest, hills, prairie, open grass space and trees
wetland view & access
river view & access
 
General Description:  6000-acre (half land, half water) state fish and wildlife area spanning the Illinois River and stretching for almost 10 miles; stop on Miles C. Hauter Interpretive (Vehicular) Trail
 
OPAL’s Observations & Opinions:  
​Some backwater areas can become very shallow and not navigable, even in paddlecraft.  Check with managing group before going. 
​Subject to Illinois River flooding. Know before you go.  Check Illinois River levels here.

Trail/Park Maps & Brochures (downloadable):
​Marshall SFWA Trail Map (PDF)
Marshall SFWA Brochure & Maps (PDF)

More Information:

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1829031?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

https://www.peoriaaudubon.org/lbs_marshall.htm

https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/marshall-state-fish-and-wildlife-area#
​
https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/marshall-state-fish-and-wildlife-area

https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/sparland/nature-outdoor-recreation/wightman-lake-wetland-management-unit/
​
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7fl9yS5Js

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/FactSheets/Pages/MarshallStateFishWildlifeArea-SparlandUnit.aspx

Managed by:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area
236 State Route 26
Lacon, IL  61540
309-246-8351 

*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.

East Side of River:

Trailhead (East Side of River):

West Side of River (Wightman Lake):