Parks around Litchfield

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.

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.

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.

Water-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hunting. Expecially attractive to sailboaters. Illinois' largest lake.

Travel through urban cityscapes, cozy riverfront towns, and rolling prairie on Illinois' 179-mile portion of the Lincoln Highway. From its eastern portal at Lynwood to its Mississippi crossing at Fulton, entertainment and adventure can be found around every corner. The Illinois Lincoln Highway is designated as a National Scenic Byway, and is the only state on the entire Lincoln Highway route to ac...

The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.

CPR houses the Official Personnel Folders (OPF) and Employee Medical Folders (EMF) of separated Federal civilian employees. CPR also houses personnel documents that date back to the mid-nineteenth century, although the bulk of the collection covers the period from 1900 to present. The medical records of military family members treated at Army, Air Force and Coast Guard medical facilities are als...

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...

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...

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 ...

Ulysses S. Grant is known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. He first met Julia Dent, his future wife, at her family home, named White Haven. From 1854 to 1859 the Dents, Grants and an enslaved African-American workforce lived on the property.

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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-purpose use of these ...

Rend Lake, IL, located in the heart of southern Illinois, is a natural haven for wildlife and a recreational haven for visitors. Rend Lake consists of 18,900 acres of water and 20,000 acres of land. Campers will delight in the nearly 800 sites found in 5 public campgrounds on Rend Lake. Boaters are provided access to the lake through the numerous boat ramps. Beaches, picnic sites and trails pr...

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.

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.

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...

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge's 44,000 acres of land and water contain a wide diversity of flora and fauna. Major habitat types on the refuge include hardwood forest, agricultural land, grazing units, brushland, wetlands, and lakes. The refuge provides significant resting areas for migratory birds utilizing the Mississippi Flyway. Wintering numbers of Canada Geese can peak at 200,...

The Clear Springs Wilderness now contains a total of 4,730 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Illinois. In 1990 the Clear Springs Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of...