Parks around Peoria

This site is a normally dry reservoir and dam built by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control on Farm Creek. The immediate value of this dam is to store flood waters that would otherwise flood parts of East Peoria, IL, which is just downstream from the dam. It is also part of the overall plan of the Corps of Engineers for flood control in the Illinois River and Mississippi River systems.

Here, the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers meet to form a 35,000-acre floodplain. The Mississippi, a working river, is also an environmental treasure. Historic 18th-century river towns, islands, bars, points, and bends create beautiful scenery beneath limestone bluffs that are covered by forests extending over nearly 20,000 acres.

Chautauqua Refuge is situated in the middle of the Mississippi Flyway along the Illinois River near Havana, Illinois. It is an important link in the chain of resting and feeding areas for waterfowl and other migratory birds in the flyway. The refuge has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site. Up to 250,000 waterfowl and 10,00...

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge was established December 29, 1993 with the purchase of its first 284 acres. About 2,200 acres have been acquired to date. The refuge is being assembled to protect, restore, and manage migratory bird, fish, and resident wildlife habitat in the Illinois River Valley, while providing for increased public recreation and educational opportunities. When complete, it wi...

Abraham Lincoln believed in the ideal that everyone in America should have the opportunity to improve his/her economic and social condition. Lincoln's life was the embodiment of that idea. We know him as the sixteenth president but he was also a spouse, parent, and neighbor who experienced the same hopes, dreams, and challenges of life that are still experienced by many people.

The Rivers Project is responsible for the operation and maintenance of five dams and seven locks, 300 miles of dikes and revetment and 110,000 acres of public lands and waters for the authorized purpose of maintaining a nine-foot navigation channel on the Upper Mississippi River, and the lower 80 miles of the Illinois River. The Rivers Project recognizes and manages the multi-pupose use of these l...

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge is located along the east side of the Illinois River in Cass and Morgan counties, about 50 miles west of Springfield, IL. It is positioned in the upper end of the Alton navigation pool in an area that was historically known for its ability to sustain fish and wildlife. Land management programs improve migratory bird, fish, and resident wildlife habitat in the...

As the largest public open space in northeastern Illinois, Midewin offers experiences of vastness and solitude unavailable elsewhere. The goal of recreation management at Midewin is to provide opportunities for long distance trails without interruption by public roads, and opportunities to experience prairie ecosystems and view grassland wildlife.To view activies available by location please clic...

Ever want to see the operation of a lock and dam? The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center offers you that as well as impressive towboats of mammoth proportions navigating through the Starved Rock Lock, which is one of eight on the Illinois Waterway. While there you can see all sorts of cool displays in the visitor center. Displays cover the waterway from the Illinois and Michigan Canal to today?s m...

Ever want to see the operation of a lock and dam? The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center offers you that as well as impressive towboats of mammoth proportions navigating through the Starved Rock Lock, which is one of eight on the Illinois Waterway. While there you can see all sorts of cool displays in the visitor center. Displays cover the waterway from the Illinois and Michigan Canal to today?s m...

The Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge comprises over 8,373 acres, divided into four separate divisions: Big Timber, Louisa, Keithsburg, and Horseshoe Bend. Three divisions - Big Timber, Louisa, and Keithsburg - are located in the floodplain of the Mississippi River, while Horseshoe Bend is in the Iowa River floodplain. All refuge divisions are within the famous Mississippi Flyway, on...

Lake Shelbyville is located in the heart of central Illinois. It offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for people of all ages. Lake Shelbyville consists of 11,100 acres of water and 23,000 acres of land. Camping opportunities are available in 8 public campgrounds. Boaters are provided access to the lake year round, even during high lake elevations. Beaches, picnic sites, and trails provide t...

In 1926, America was on the move and Route 66 was the way to "motor west." The road gave birth to service stations, motels, diners and of course, often kitschy roadside attractions. Today, Illinois 66 is a continuum of one-of-a-kind connections to the old road in America's agricultural heartland.

Born in a two-room cottage, Herbert Hoover could have been any small town boy. Orphaned at age nine, he left West Branch, never to live here again. The landscape and buildings of the early years remain, however, to tell how family, faith, education, and hard work opened a world of opportunity— even the presidency of the United States— to a child of simple beginnings.

The Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge was established on May 31, 2000. It has three divisions - Meissner Island, near Valmeyer, Illinois; Harlow Island, near Festus, Missouri; and Wilkinson Island, near Gorham, Illinois. The refuge headquarters is co-located with Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. "Middle Miss" Refuge is part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Ref...

The Great River National Wildlife Refuge protects approximately 11,600 acres along 120 miles of the Mississippi River, stretching north of St. Louis, Missouri. Three separate units are located in the floodplain, on both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the river. In 1998, the Great River Refuge was designated as a globally important bird area, due to its value to shorebirds, songbirds, and w...

The 3,750-acre Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is located in the floodplain of the Mississippi River, adjacent to Pool No. 25. The refuge's diversity of habitats supports waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and songbirds. Although it is protected by a levee, the refuge provides flood storage in periods of high water. Clarence Cannon Refuge is managed by Great River National Wildlif...

The National Archives and Records Administration - Great Lakes Region (NARA-GLR) in Chicago is one of twelve regional archives in NARA's national system. NARA-GLR is responsible for preserving and making available for research the permanently valuable U.S. Government records created or received by Federal courts and agencies in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. These...

Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management, forest management and water quality improvement. Coralville Lake has three campgrounds with 500 campsites available. A wide variety of recreational activities are available including fishing, picnic areas with group she...

Beautiful bluffs tower over the byway as permanent sentinels for the great river. Whether directly along the banks of the river or winding through the vast flood plain, Illinois presents its own flavor of the mighty Mississippi through its wildlife, farmland products, and four centuries of history and heritage.

The Illinois River Valley imparts feelings of awe at the power of the river winding its way through a land form carved by glacial melt water. Experience the seasonal colors and rhythms of the forests, wetlands, bluffs, and prairies on your own or follow one of seven different nature activity guides.

Represents the head of navigation for the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and is located in downtown Minneapolis. The USAF Visitor Center is located at the Upper Lock and is open to the public year around. The Visitor Center provides an excellent view of the historic falls, the Minneapolis skyline and the historic mill ruins along the banks of the river. This area is within the ...

The 8,501-acre Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge is one of five refuges in the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Formerly known as the Brussels District of Mark Twain Refuge, most of Two Rivers Refuge is located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The refuge is comprised of five divisions: Apple Creek, Batchtown, Calhoun, Gilbert Lake, and Portage Islan...

Offers a blend of picturesque natural resources and modern recreation facilities to suit everyone. Three campgrounds boast shaded full hookup and electrical sites. The 18, 600 acres of water has a reputation as a great crappie and bass lake. Just 30 minutes from historical Hannibal, Mo (hometown of Mark Twain). Clarence Cannon Dam features a power plant display. The David C. Berti Shooting Range i...

On Illinois' National Historic Road, rolling countryside, prairie fields, and small towns whisper of an earlier time. Main street stores speak of small town U.S.A. where soda fountains, museums and antiques showcase days gone by. Hayfields, cattle and old barns intermingled with small towns all beckon you to stay awhile.