State Parks and National Parks

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge

Havana, IL U.S.A.

C/O Illinois River N. W.
19031 East County Road 2110
Havana, IL 62644
U.S.A.

309-535-2290

Open Year-Round

No Entry Fee Charged

State Park Information

The Meredosia refuge hugs the east banks of the Illinois River in Cass and Morgan counties about 50 miles west of Springfield.

The refuge is designed to enhance migratory bird, fish and resident wildlife habitat in the Illinois River basin while providing increased recreation and educational opportunities.

When acquisition of 5,255 acres is complete, the refuge will preserve a backwater lake, bottomland forest, upland forest, prairie, seasonal wetland and permanent marsh habitat for birds, fish and resident wildlife. As of 2007, 3,855 acres had been purchased.

As a functioning floodplain wetland, the refuge plays a vital role in perpetuating biological diversity in the Illinois River basin.

The island portion of the refuge is open sunrise to sunset from Jan. 15 through Oct. 15 each year. The remaining areas are open from sunrise to sunset.

There are two hiking trails at Meredosia, the quarter-mile Dawson Prairie trail and the half-mile Skinner Wetland trail. Both trails have parking areas.

A boat ramp provides access to the 1,485-acre, state-managed lake. The Beach Road provides access along the lake for wildlife viewing from a vehicle.

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