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 updated: 9/10/2024

• 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.
• Castle Rock State Park - open year round except for deer firearm hunting seasons; the park will be closed to all activities for the following 2024/2025 Deer Firearm season dates: Nov. 22-24, Dec. 5-8, and Dec. 13-15. 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. Boat launch is closed due to flooding 7/15/24
• Franklin Creek State Natural Area-All trails and day use areas will be closed on the following days for the site’s 2024/2025 firearm deer hunts: November 22-24, December 5-8 & 26-29, January 17-19.
• Hennepin Canal Closures - The wells at Lock 21 and Lock 22 are not working pending repairs and water tests. Lock 24 has water available but is closed seasonally. Potable wate is available year round at the Visitor's Center.
• Illini State Park - Sunrise Council, Wildcat Bog, and Ancient Oaks day use areas are closed until further notice. Whitetail campground is closed yearly November 1 through April 30. Great Falls Campground is open year around, with shower building close Nov. 01 – Apr. 30
• Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area -  Saturday, September 21st will be the last day for tours at Ryan's Round Barn for the 2024 season.  Lakeshore Loop will close for the season November 1st, 2024 and re-open May 1st, 2025.  Johnson-Sauk Trail will be closed to the public Wednesday, November 6^th at 3:30 p.m. - Friday, November 8^th due to our Disabled Outdoor Opportunity shotgun deer hunt.  The park will re-open to the public Saturday, November 9th, 2024.   Additionally, the campground will close to the public at 12:00 noon on Monday, November 4^th in preparation for the hunt.  All camping units must vacate the campground by 12:00 noon on 11/04.  The park will be closed to archery hunting on Wednesday, November 6th.  Jack's Place restaurant will close for the season Sunday, November 3^rd at 2:00 p.m.  Ottawa, Kaskaskia, and Potawatomi Trails are closed November 1st, 2024  - May 15, 2025 due to hunting seasons.
• Jubilee College SP - 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 November 22, 23, and 24, 2024. The park will re-open Monday, November 25th, 2024.
• The LaSalle Lake - LaSalle Lake closes for the season every year at sunset 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 2024-2025 Deer Firearm season dates: Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 5-8. Equestrian trails open each spring when trail conditions allow or by May 1st, and close for the season Oct. 31st. Equestrian trail use during Spring Turkey season is only allowed after 1 pm. Equestrian trials may be temporarily closed due to weather/trail condions, contact the Castle Rock State Park office at 815-732-7329 for current trail conditions. Lowden State Park boat launch is temporarily closed due to flooding 7/16/24
• Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area -  Due to the Illinois National Guard's training needs, Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area will be closed to hunting Friday, Saturday, and Sundays throughout the months of September and October of each year.
• Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area - will be closed to the general public during the first and second firearm deer hunting seasons. 
• Matthiessen State Park - Horseback trails and the equestrian campground are closed November 1st - April 30th. Trails may be closed depending on weather May 1 - Octover 31st. 
• 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 SP - Campground is temporarily closed due to flooding 7/15/24 
• Rock Cut - Park closed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the second week in November for Deer Hunt for Disabled Hunters. 7/18/24 Phone communications temporarily down.
• Shabbona Lake State Park - NOTICE: The campground will be closed completely November 1, 2025 - April 30, 2025 for our vault toilet replacement project. 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.  
• Starved Rock - There are no current trail closures due to flooding. Owl Canyon Overlook, Tonti Canyon, and the brown bluff trail above French Canyon are closed.  Trail from the boat ramp south to west entrance park road closed until further notice.
• White Pines Forest State Park - All campgrounds, day use areas and trails will be closed on the following days for the site’s 2024 firearm deer hunts: November 18th, 19th and 20th as well as December 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 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 17th or Sunday, December 1st. The lodge, restaurant and cabins, as well as the immediate lodge and cabin lawns will remain open. 
• Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area - Camping is closed from Oct 1 - March 31 annually. 
  

Last updated: 8/30/2024

• Chain O'Lakes State Park - Park is closed from October 31st (or first day of hunting season) until December 26th. Camping resumes January 1st annually. Contact the park for additional questions
• Goose Lake Prairie – Goose Lake Prairie will be closed to the public during all firearm deer hunting seasons. The Visitor Center is closed indefinitely.
• Heidecke Lake - If wind speeds are forecast to be 25mph 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 - 
  • The section of trail from Gebhard Woods in Morris heading east 1/4 mile to Calhoun St. is closed to all visitors.
• 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 - Eagle Lake and Ponderosa Lake at Mazonia/Braidwood SFWA is closed effectived September 11, 2024, for a CDB construction project. There is no public access allowed in this area. Fishermen can use Monster Lake which is a half mile west of this area on 5000 road. Bullhead Lake is open to paddle vessels but is closed to larger boats due to ramp issues.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 state-wide Deer Firearm Season the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before Thanksgiving weekend, and the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving weekend. 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.
  • 2024 - 2025 Updates
    • The  trap range wil be closed September 1 - 5. It will open open seven days a week September 6 – November 6. Starting November 7, the archery and trap ranges will be open Monday – Wednesday, then closed Thursday – Sunday until the end of pheasant season.  January 19 – February 298 both ranges will be closed completely for coyote season.  
    • The equestrian trail will be closed September 1 – 30. It will reopen October 1 - November 6, then be closed November 7 - March 31.
    • October 1 - October 18 Loon Lake is closed to fishing.
• 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.

Last updated: 6/24/2024

• Clinton Lake State Recreation Area – The campground is open year-round except for the week of November 11-16 in order to host our annual disabled firearm deer hunt.  Both showers and water will be available until November 4.  The loading dock at West Side Boat Access Area has been removed – new construction will begin Spring 2025.  The West Side ramp will not be available to fishing tournaments for the 2025 season.  North Fork trail will be closed during Statewide Firearm and Muzzleloader seasons – December 5-8 and December 13-15, 2024.  All fish cleaning stations at Clinton Lake are closed indefinitely.
• Fox Ridge State Park – North Canoe Access Road is OPEN.
• Hidden Springs – Hickory Ridge Pond is open. Big Tree Trail is closed indefinitely due to a large fallen tree from storm damage. Oak Ridge Hiking trail is closed indefinitely due to a bridge washout. Sassafras pond is open for fishing. Water hydrants and class C camping are open for the season.
• Kickapoo - The area south of the Middle Fork river boat ramp to 200 yards downstream of the Kickapoo Park Road bridge at Clear Pond is closed during bridge construction. 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 at 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 until 1:00 PM except 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. 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 - Outdoor pavilion reservations can currently be made from 4/16 through 10/15 (annually). During the off season 10/16 to 4/15 (annually), the pavilions may be used on a "first come, first served bases" as weather permits. Reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL™. The staircases to the lower river trail are temporarily closed for replacement - this project is scheduled for substantial completion by 8/31/24, sorry for any inconvenience this closure causes. The lower river trail can still be accessed via the kayak launch trail.
• Lincoln Trail State Park - Lincoln Trail State Park will close Lakeside Campground 11/1/24 for the winter. Visitors are welcome to park by the barricade and walk in, but there will be no camping until Spring of 2025.
• Middle Fork SFWA  – 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 except hunters in possession of a site-specific permit during turkey hunting hours. Periodic trail closures may occur for prescribed fire. Trap shooting range is closed indefinitely. 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 from the Monday before shotgun deer season until the Monday following muzzleloader deer season.  
• Moraine View State Recreation Area –  Shower house in Gander Bay Campground is open and back in service. 
• Shelbyville State Fish & Wildlife Area - Throughout the winter some parking lots and access roads will be temporarily closed due to weather conditions.
• Spitler Woods - All outdoor pavilions, trails, and playgrounds are open for use. 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). Currently, outdoor pavilions have returned to previous capacity levels (100 based on parking availability), the site will continually update capacity parameters as notified by IDPH. All flush restrooms are currently open for the season and will remain so until first frost. The new vault toilet building near Long Creek will remain open throughout the winter. The indoor pavilion (Ida B. Spitler) is is open for reservations beginning  April 1^st (annually), and may be reserved through October 31st (annually). The site will update the status of the indoor pavilion capacities based on Regional COVID-19 parameters as provided by IDPH. Current capacity levels are at one hundred percent which is 80 occupants. Reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL™
• Walnut Point State Park – Camping and shower building are now open for the season.  Cardinal Drive is closed due to a water line connection project.  The road to the observatory and the obervatory trail are closed for a project and the area avoided due to heavy equipment entering and leaving.  The restaurant concession is closed until further notice.
• Weldon Springs - The campground will close for the season November 4 and reopen March 1, 2025.  The concession and boat rental operation is closed for the 2024 season.  Union School Interpretive Center is closed for the season.  

Last updated: 12/5/2024

• Cave In Rock - the shower house is closed for the season.
• Cache River Wetland Center - Wetland Center is closed until 12/12/24. Beginning Thursday, January 2, 2025 - the Wetland Center will be closed until further notice. 
• Ferne Clyffe State Park - The shower house at the Deer Ridge Campground is closed for the season. 
• Fort Massac – Effective 10/28/24 - The back road will be closed due to IDOT working on the bridge over Massac Creek.  The inside of the 1802 American Fort will be closed to the public until further notice for public safety.
• Mermet Lake -  Road to the lake will be closed beginning Monday, November 4, 2024 for the upcoming waterfowl season. 
• Red Hills State Park - The Trace Inn is currently closed.
  
• Sahara Woods - The OHV construction area at Sahara Woods will be closed to all activities until further notice due to ongoing construction. This includes roughly 1400 acres of the northwest part of the park.
• Stephen A. Forbes State Park - Oak Ridge Campground is closed effective September 3, 2024, due to a bridge closure as part of a roadway project.
• Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreational Area - ALL campsites are closed.