Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area
(including Aitchison Refuge)
Marshall County & Peoria County, Illinois
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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 |
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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.
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):
