Agencies
Services
The Argyle Lake State Park visitor center features several informative, hands-on displays which focus on the local flora and fauna of the park. Several hands-on displays include a track table, touch box, and animal pelts. The center features four displays from the Illinois State Museum’s traveling exhibit program including the following topics: oak-hickory forests, animal tracks, insects of Illinois, and dimorphism (the differences between the male and female of a species). Various free publications are available including several state park brochures and the Illinois State Park magazine.
General Program Information
Meet at the park visitor center for all hikes and programs unless otherwise indicated in above program descriptions. All programs are open to the general public. Please contact park staff with any special needs or concerns prior to the program date, so requested arrangements /accommodations can be made.
Natural Resources Coordinator: Bridget Hinchee
Contact Information:
Argyle Lake State Park
640 Argyle Park Road
Colchester, IL 62326
Phone: 309-776-3422
Bridget.Hinchee@Illinois.gov
Argyle Lake State Park 2026 Winter/Spring Interpretive Program Schedule
Upcoming events scheduled for Argyle Lake SP are listed below. Printable copy can be found here.
Winter Birding Basics
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join the park naturalist for a morning of bird watching at the Argyle Lake State Park visitor center. Winter is the perfect time to learn the basics of bird identification before the numerous migratory birds return in the spring. This program will begin in the visitor center with a discussion of the 7 S’s of bird identification, which will be followed by observing birds outside at the feeders and nearby shrubs. Binoculars will be available or you are welcome to bring your own. For more information, please call the park visitor center at (309)776-3422.
Twigs, Buds and Bark: Winter Tree ID Hike
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Most people identify trees using their leaves, which can make tree identification a challenge in the winter. Winter tree identification is possible; it merely requires detailed observations of a tree’s many unique characteristics – other than its leaves. Budding naturalists of any age are welcome to come and learn some tips for identifying trees in winter at the Argyle Lake State Park visitor center. After a brief indoor discussion, participants will venture outdoors to practice their skills in the campground and along the woodland edge at Argyle while enjoying the winter scenery. For more information, please call the park office at (309)776-3422.
28th Annual Maple Syrup Festival, 10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2026
The 28th annual Maple Syrup Festival will be held at Argyle Lake State Park on Saturday, March 7th from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Individuals attending the festival will experience the tapping of the maple trees, collection of the sap, boiling down of sap into syrup, and a taste of the finished product. Tours to collect sap at the maple grove will depart regularly and several children’s activities will be ongoing throughout the day. This event is being sponsored through the cooperative efforts of the Friends of Argyle Lake State Park and park staff. The Colchester Lion’s Club will be hosting a pancake breakfast at 207 S. Fulton St. in Colchester from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in conjunction with this event. Free refreshments will be provided by Macomb Morning Rotary and Friends of Argyle will have maple syrup and other items for sale at the event. For more information, please call the park visitor center at (309) 776-3422.
‘First Day of Spring’ Hike
Saturday, March 28, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Celebrate the first day of spring by taking a hike in the Argyle Hollow Barrens nature preserve located at Argyle. Hikers will witness nature’s rebirth firsthand by enjoying the early blooms and signs of emerging wildlife. We will drive from the park visitor center to the nature preserve. For more information, please call the park visitor center at (309)776-3422.
Spring Wildflower Hikes
Saturdays, April 11 & Saturday April 25, 2026 & Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy the first blooms of spring and the peace and serenity of nature on these morning nature hikes in the woods of Argyle Lake State Park. These 1.5 mile hikes will begin at the park visitor center. For more information, please call the park visitor center at (309)776-3422.
Friends of Argyle Lake State Park – Spring Exotic Plant Removal Workday
Saturday, May 23, 2026
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Come and spend a few hours outdoors helping the Friends of Argyle and park staff remove nonnative plants from the woods at Argyle. Litter collecting is an option for younger volunteers. Tools and gloves will be provided or bring your own. Meet at the park visitor center for supplies. For more information or to register as a volunteer for this event, call the park visitor center at (309)776-3422.
