Information
Landmark: Crab Orchard National Wildlife RefugeCity: Carbondale
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Carbondale, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge sprawls across southern Illinois, mostly in Williamson County, with its borders stretching into Jackson and Union counties, where wetlands glint under the afternoon sun.Spanning roughly 43,890 acres, it ranks among the Midwest’s biggest wildlife refuges and draws visitors for both its vital conservation work and its quiet trails where wind brushes through tall prairie grass.Founded in 1947, the refuge is cared for by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect wild landscapes, help wildlife thrive, and welcome visitors to enjoy the outdoors-whether it’s hiking a quiet trail or spotting a heron by the water.The refuge sits between Marion and Carbondale, tucked along Illinois Route 148 where the road cuts through open fields.Covering almost 44,000 acres, it rolls through forests, rocky bluffs, and wetlands that capture the essence of southern Illinois’ Shawnee Hills.Crab Orchard NWR boasts an unusually rich mix of habitats, from sun-dappled oak-hickory upland forests that blanket the high ground to the many other areas that offer shelter and food for its wildlife.Bottomland hardwood forests grow in low, often soggy ground, with cottonwood, sycamore, and swamp white oak stretching their roots into the damp earth.In certain restored prairies, bees hum over wildflowers while these grasslands give vital support to pollinators and species that rely on open plains.The refuge’s marshes and wetlands are a lifeline for frogs, ducks, and countless other aquatic creatures, where reeds sway gently in the breeze.Cropland and grazing areas are carefully managed farmland where wildlife can find extra food and shelter, like stalks of corn left in the field after harvest.Lakes and ponds, like Crab Orchard Lake and Devil’s Kitchen Lake, stretch wide and still, providing rich aquatic habitats and spots where anglers cast lines from the shore.Within the refuge, 4,050 acres have been set aside as wilderness-left untouched so deer can move silently through tall grass and native plants can thrive without disturbance.Crab Orchard NWR teems with life, from six nesting pairs of bald eagles and their downy chicks to flocks of migratory waterfowl, warbling songbirds, and swift, circling raptors.You’ll often spot wild turkeys strutting through the grass, eastern bluebirds flashing blue in the sun, indigo buntings and white-eyed vireos calling from the trees, and bright summer tanagers overhead.White-tailed deer slip through the trees, raccoons shuffle along creek banks, and coyotes and foxes roam freely, while smaller mammals flourish in the mix of forests, fields, and wetlands.The lakes teem with favorite catches-largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, white bass, striped bass, rainbow trout, and catfish-sometimes flashing silver under the sun.In the wetlands and quiet backwaters, frogs croak at dusk while turtles bask on sun-warmed logs and snakes slip through the reeds-each one a native of the region.The refuge serves as a vital resting point and nesting site for countless migratory birds and year-round wildlife, where wings flash over quiet marshes.At Crab Orchard NWR, you’ll find plenty to do, all thoughtfully balanced with protecting the land.Hike the 2.2‑mile Rocky Bluff Trail, a loop that winds past sandstone cliffs and, in spring, the rush of hidden waterfalls-perfect for a quiet walk or snapping a few photos.Woodland Trail runs just 0.7 miles, a quick walk where you might spot a red-winged blackbird and end at fishing piers, open mid-March through late September.Winding side trails lead you deeper into the refuge, where you can wander through cool forests, quiet wetlands, and wide, sunlit grasslands.Crab Orchard Lake and Devil’s Kitchen Lake draw crowds for boating, fishing, and all kinds of water sports, from casting a line at sunrise to skimming across the waves on a warm afternoon.You can take a motorized boat out on Devil’s Kitchen Lake, but the engine can’t exceed 10 horsepower, a cap meant to keep the water clean and the air free of that sharp gasoline hum.Anglers can reel in bass, crappie, catfish, or trout, though the rules shift with the seasons-spring mornings might mean trout on a cool, misty lake.Camping at the refuge ranges from simple, back-to-basics sites to more developed spots, with rustic cabins you can rent just steps from the lake’s edge.Campgrounds offer simple comforts-think clean water and a picnic table-and make a handy starting point for fishing, hiking, or spotting deer in the brush.Wildlife viewing and photography come alive here, with trails and lookout spots where you can spot a hawk gliding overhead or capture a deer moving quietly through the trees.Migration season is when birdwatching truly comes alive-you might spot a flash of bright wings cutting across the crisp morning sky.The Visitor Center, at 8588 Route 148 in Marion, IL, offers maps, travel tips, and engaging exhibits on the refuge’s ecology, history, and management-you might spot a glossy photo of a heron mid-flight.The place opens every day at 8 a.m. and closes at 4.You can rent a boat or grab a slip right by the lake, where the water smells faintly of pine.You’ll find several parking lots that make it easy to reach the trails, stroll down to the sandy beach, or head straight for the fishing piers where the boards smell faintly of salt.The refuge works to protect its habitat while still welcoming visitors, using hands-on programs to manage the land and care for wildlife-like restoring native grasses after the rainy season.They include restoring habitats and keeping wetlands, forests, and prairies healthy, from damp marsh grasses to tall, whispering pines.Tracking populations and safeguarding vulnerable species, such as the bald eagle with its sharp cry over quiet lakes.We work to stop invasive species from spreading, protecting the native plants and animals-like the wildflowers that still bloom along the creek.Programs that research and teach the public about conserving natural resources, from protecting clean rivers to preserving old-growth forests.Crab Orchard NWR requires every visitor to have a pass, whether it’s for a day, a week, or the whole year, and you can buy one right at the gate.Boat motor limits safeguard the lakes, keeping the water clear and the shoreline quiet.You can hunt or fish only in approved areas during the set seasons, with rules in place to keep wildlife thriving-like letting trout streams rest in the early spring.Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge anchors the region’s commitment to protecting nature, while offering southern Illinois visitors trails that wind past quiet lakes and rustling oak trees.With its sweeping hills, bright songbirds, and carefully maintained trails, it’s a top spot for nature lovers, anglers, hikers, and families who want adventure outdoors paired with a chance to learn and help protect the environment.The refuge strikes a careful balance-safeguarding its wild streams and forests while still welcoming people to explore and connect with the land.
