Current Closures of DNR Sites and Areas

This page lists current closures of DNR Sites and Areas, by geographic region. Notices are updated on a continuous basis, so please check before you start your trip.

Last updated10/2/26

• Anderson Lake - Camping at the South Camp is available, but on a limited basis due to flooding.
• Argyle Lake - The road around the lake has been closed for the season effective November 16 of each year and will reopen March 15 of each year, weather permitting.
• Big River State Forest - 
• Castle Rock State Park - open year-round except for deer firearm hunting seasons; the park will be closed to all activities for the following 2025/2026 Deer firearm season dates: Nov. 21-23, Dec. 4-7, and Dec. 12-14.  April 14 - May 15 the south end trails are closed daily until 1 pm for Spring turkey seasons. The river access canoe campground is open May 1 - Oct. 31. River conditions may result in temporary closure of the campground; call the park at 815/732-7329 for current river/campground conditions. 
• Delabar State Park - 
• Franklin Creek State Natural Area - All trails and day use areas will be closed on the following days for the site’s 2026/2027 firearm deer hunts: November 20-22, December 3-6, December 31 - January 3 & January 15-17, 2027.
• Hennepin Canal Closures - The wells at Lock 22 are not working pending repairs and water tests. Lock 24 has water available but is closed seasonally. Potable water is available year-round at the Visitor's Center.   NOTICE OF TRAIL CLOSURE -- Due to replacement of the 11th Street bridge over the Feeder Canal in Rock Falls, the adjacent trail area will be closed starting Monday, February 23rd until bridge construction is complete. Avoid this area, as there will be no trail access. 
• Illini State Park - Sunrise Council, Wildcat Bog, and Ancient Oaks day use areas are closed until further notice.  The show building and Whitetail Campground is closed annually November 1st through April 30th.  
• Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area -  The Johnson-Sauk Trail campground will close on Monday, November 2nd at 12:00 noon in preparation of our annual Disabled Outdoor (DOO) shotgun hunt. The entire park will close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 4th for our DOO hunt and will re-open the morning of Saturday, November 8th. NO ARCHERY HUNTING WILL BE ALLOWED ON 11/4/26, 11/5/26  & 11/6/26.  Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Kaskaskia hiking trails will close due to deer archery hunting on October 1st and remain closed until mid-May.  Shower building, campsites 1-31 and Lakeshore Loop road will close for the season at 12:00 noon on November 1st and re-open May 2027.
• Jubilee College SP - Due to an issue with the well pump, there is currently no water on in the park. We are working dilligently to fix this issue. We apologize for any inconvience. The Equestrian Campground and Trails are closed November 15th through April 15th.
• Kishwaukee River SFWA - will be closed to all but permitted archery hunters and site-specific permit shotgun hunters starting Oct. 1.
• Lake Le-Aqua-Na - Equestrian area is closed November 15th through April 15th. The park will be closed to all but Site Specific Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Holders on November 21, 22, and 23 of 2025. The park will re-open Monday, November 24th, 2025.
• LaSalle Lake - LaSalle Lake closes for the season every year at sunset on October 15 and opens March 15 from 6AM to sunset daily.
• Lowden Miller Forest - is open year-round except for deer firearm seasons; the Forest will be closed to all activities for the following 2025/2026 Deer Firearm season dates: Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7. April 14 - May 15: The forest is closed daily until 1 pm for Spring turkey seasons.  Equestrian trails are open and will close for the season Oct. 31st. Equestrian trail use during Spring turkey season is only allowed after 1 pm. Equestrian trails may be temporarily closed due to weather/trail conditions; contact the Castle Rock State Park office at 815-732-7329 for current trail conditions. 
• Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area -    This is a restricted access site and is closed to the public, except for participation in approved hunting programs. Accessing this site without a valid hunting permit and/or outside of posted hunting program hours is forbidden. Due to the National Guard's training needs, the site will be closed to hunting on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Sept 1 to Oct 31 each year. Any additional closures will be posted at the site and on the IDNR website. 
• Matthiessen State Park -  The following areas are closed until further notice: bridge over Lake Falls, a trail detour is posted and available.  The restroom facility at the Matthiessen Dells parking lot is presently closed for repairs. However, porta-potties are accessible. Horseback trails may be closed depending on weather from May 1 to October 31. 
• Mississippi Palisades State Park - Lookout Point overlook is closed until further notice. Oak Point, Loius' Point, and Ozzie's Point remain open and offer views of the Mississippi River. Please call the park office for more information. (815) 273-2731.
• Morrison Rockwood State Park - The equestrian trails and the equestrian campground are closed November 1st–April 30th, weather depending.. 
• Pekin Lake – is closed to all vehicle access due to road deterioration; walk-in access is allowed.
• Prophetstown State Recreation Area - is closed due to river flooding until further notice.
• Rock Cut - The hiking and biking trail south of the Rock Cut Concession (F12-F16) is closed until early 2027 due to a redevelopemnt project. The work includes tree removal and rebuilding the trail to ensure safe, proper use and to address health and safety concerns. Park closed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday prior to the first statewide firearm deer season in November for a deer hunt for disabled hunters.
• Rock Island Trail -  
• Shabbona Lake State Park -September 1-30 annually, the west side of the snowmobile trail is closed for dove season. Oct. 1 - Jan. 20 annually, all hiking trails except Arrowhead and Touch the Earth are closed for hunting season. 
• Spring Lake -  Spring Lake North Campground will have intermittent disruptions in access due to gate and sign replacement throughout the North Park following road resurfacing. South Park Road and the entire South Lake will be closed to ALL vehicles and boat access for bridge replacement, road resurfacing and repairs starting 6/1/26. Construction is expected to last through October 2026. South Spring Lake is being dewatered to allow for rehabilitation, habitat improvement and water control structure work at the site. Lake rehabilitation is expected to take 1.5 to 2 years.
• Starved Rock -  The Park, Lodge, Campground, and a majority of the trails including access into the canyons are open daily.  Trails that are currently under construction are listed here with updated trail suggestions found on the Activity page of the Starved Rock State Park webpage.  Please click here for further details on available trails: Starved Rock Trail Improvement Project.     
• White Pines Forest State Park - All campgrounds, day use areas, and trails will be closed on the following days for the site’s 2026 firearm deer hunts: November 16th, 17th, and 18th, as well as November 30th , December 1st, and 2nd; those days are all either a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. The campgrounds will close the day before each season segment, meaning there will be no camping on the nights of Sunday, November 15th, or Sunday, November 29th. The lodge, restaurant, and cabins, as well as the immediate lodge and cabin lawns, will remain open. 

Last updated:1/26/26

• Adeline Geo-Karis Illinois Beach 
• Chain O'Lakes State Park - The campground will close October 25^th in preparation for the start of hunting season on November 2. The park will be closed to visitors November 2 through December 25 and reopen on December 26. The Maple Grove boat launce will remain open during hunting season. 
• Goose Lake Prairie – Goose Lake Prairie will be closed to the public during all firearm deer hunting seasons. The Visitor Center is closed indefinitely.  Please expect intermittent closures during the construction phase. 
• Heidecke Lake - If wind speeds are forecast to be 25 mph or above at any time during the day, Heidecke Lake access to boat fishing will be closed. Bank fishing will still be available at the Heidecke Lake Bank Fishing Area off E. Collins Rd. Wind speeds are checked daily by using the NOAA wind forecast at the Morris Muni-James R Washburn Field Airport here.
• I&M Canal - For Illinois & Michigan Canal snowmobile trail open/closed updates, please call (815) 942-9501.
• Kankakee River - 
  • The bike trail remains open, but users should STAY ON THE TRAIL.
  • Some of the restrooms may be closed due to maintenance issues. 
  • The main park closes at Sunset. 
  • Reservations on ExploreMoreIL™ are highly recommended.
    
• Mazonia - Braidwood SFWA -Bullhead Lake is open to paddle vessels but is closed to larger boats due to ramp issues.
• McHenry Dam - Site will be closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  Seasonal snow events and icy conditions may cause delayed or limited openings. 
• Moraine Hills - Site will be closed For the statewide Deer Firearm Season, the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before Thanksgiving weekend, and the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving weekend. The site is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Seasonal snow events and icy conditions may cause delayed or limited openings. 
• Silver Springs -
  • Annual Closures
    • The West Entrance of the park is closed December 1 - March 31.
    • The youth area is closed.
  • 2026-2027 Trap and Archery Range Updates
    • 9/6/26 - 10/31/26:  Both ranges open daily.
    • 11/1/26 - 1/3/27: Both ranges will only open Monday-Wednesay due to Controlled Pheasant season.
    • 1/4/27 - 1/17/27:  Both ranges open daily.
    • 1/18/27 - 2/28/27:  Both ranges are closed for Coyote season.
    • 3/1/27 - 8/31/27:  Both ranges open daily.
    • 9/1/27 - 9/5/27:  Both ranges closed for the first 5 days of Dove Season.
  • Equestrian Trail
    • Open yearly April 1st - August 31.
    • Trail hours 7AM to Sunset.
• Region II Office (Bartlett) - Closed to the public.
• Volo Bog - Site is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Seasonal snow events and icy conditions may cause delayed or limited openings.

• Clinton Lake State Recreation Area – Both shower buildings are open and water is on for the season. All ramps are open.  Mascoutin Beach closes 10/1, for the season.  All fish cleaning stations at Clinton Lake are closed indefinitely.  The campground is open year-round except for November 9-14, 2026, in order to host our annual disabled firearm deer hunt.  
• Hidden Springs – Big Tree Trail is closed indefinitely due to a large fallen tree from storm damage. The Oak Ridge hiking trail is closed indefinitely due to a bridge washout.  Hidden Springs is doing pond renovation to Hickory Ridge and Sassafras ponds. Pond dams have been removed. 
  
• Kickapoo - Recreational boating will close on the Middle Fork River in Kickapoo SRA when the Middle Fork River is 4.0 or above on the USGS river gauge above Oakwood.  The low water crossing on 1180 E is closed to foot and bike traffic when wet due to slick conditions. Sportsman's Lake Road, I-74 Loop, and the road to Inland Sea will be closed upon the first snowfall until spring. Fox, Erie, and Redear campgrounds will close November 1st. Areas open to deer hunting will be closed to all activities except to hunters in possession of a site-specific permit during firearms and muzzleloader deer season. Areas open to spring turkey hunting will be closed to all activities (including mushroom foraging) until 1:00 PM except for hunters in possession of a site-specific permit during turkey hunting hours. Periodic trail closures may occur for prescribed fire. Mountain bike trails are closed from the Monday before shotgun deer season until the Monday following muzzleloader deer season. Mountain bike trails will be closed after a rainfall or during the spring thaw until trails become dry. Mushroom hunting is prohibited in nature preserves and land and water reserves. Areas posted notifying of a prescribed burn are closed on the day of the burn.
• Lincoln Trail Homestead- Lincoln Trail Homestead is currently in the middle of a IDOT park roads project which when completed will include all new asphalt, new parking blocks, new drainage, parking lot striping, entrance gate, signage, and upgraded lighting throughout the park. The project has reached the asphalting phase and due to the limitations of the park (one way in one way out), the contractor has requested a temporary closure to more effectively and safely repave the site. Considering public safety along with the layout of the site the IDNR is granting this temporary closure request in order to complete any grinding and the asphalt overlay. The site will be temporarily closed 7/31/26 through COB on 8/6/26 and will reopen on 8/7/26.  Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience this closure may cause.
• Lincoln Trail State Park - Lakeside Campground, shower house, water hydrants and sanitary dump station is open for the season and will close 11/1/26.  The concession stand is closed indefinitely.
• Middle Fork SFWA  – Recreational boating will close on the Middle Fork River in Middle Fork SFWA when the Middle Fork River is 4.0 or above on the USGS river gauge above Oakwood.  2250 N Road will close upon the first snowfall of the winter until spring. The Middle Fork campgrounds will close November 1st. Areas open to deer hunting will be closed to all activities except to hunters in possession of a site-specific permit during firearms and muzzleloader deer season. Areas open to spring turkey hunting will be closed to all activities (including mushroom foraging) except hunters in possession of a site-specific permit during turkey hunting hours. Periodic trail closures may occur for prescribed fire. Mushroom hunting is prohibited in nature preserves and land and water reserves.  Areas posted notifying of a prescribed burn are closed on the day of the burn. Horse trails are closed to horses from the Monday before shotgun deer season until the Monday following muzzleloader deer season.  
• Moraine View State Recreation Area –  Shower house is open for the season.  Front dump station and horse camp are open for the season.  The concession is open for the season.  Beach is open Friday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Shelbyville State Fish & Wildlife Area - Throughout the year and especially in winter and early spring, some parking lots and access roads will be temporarily closed due to weather conditions, lake levels, and for repairs.  Please check our Facebook page or contact the office M-F 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, excluding holidays, @ 217-665-3112 for further information or to report issues. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message if your call is missed or staff is unavailable.
• Spitler Woods:  All outdoor pavilions, trails, and playgrounds are open for use. ****​Due to an ongoing DOT road project at the site, pavilion rentals will only be taken for weekends through the end of the 2026 season***** Pavilions are first come, first served throughout the off-season, 10/16 - 4/15 (annually); all outdoor pavilions will open for reservations beginning on April 16 and remain available for reservation until 10/15 (annually).  All flush restrooms will open for the season on 4/16 and will remain so until the first frost. The vault toilet building near the Long Creek pavilion will remain open year-round. The indoor pavilion (Ida B. Spitler) is open for reservations beginning April 1st (annually) and may be reserved through October 31st (annually). Reservations can be made at Recreation.exploremoreIL.com™
• Walnut Point State Park –  The campground is open, the water is on, and the shower building is open.  The concession and boat rental is closed.
• Weldon Springs - The campground will close for the season on November 2, 2026, and will reopen March 1, 2027.    

Last updated: 8/17/2026

• Beall Woods State Park - Ridgway remains inaccessible due to the collapse of the low water crossing. 5/27/25 The campground at Beall Woods will be closed beginning August 17, 2026 for electrical installation. Re-opening will be announced at a later date.
• Lake Murphysboro State Park - Concession building is currently closed pending a concessionaire. The walk bridge at the concession area is closed indefinitely. 4/8/25
• Sam Parr SFWA - Red Bud Shelter is currently closed due to fire damage. 7/10/26
• Stephen A. Forbes SRA - The restaurant and concessions are currently closed. The cabin at Oak Ridge Campground is not available for reservations until further notice. 1/9/26