trout. trout.

Devils Kitchen Lake anglers catch bluegill and rainbow rainbow and bluegill catch anglers Lake Kitchen Devils

Little Grassy Lake has produced record sized crappie and and crappie sized record produced has Lake Grassy Little retrieving dogs during the hunting season. hunting the during dogs retrieving

Lake is famous for its largemouth bass. bass. largemouth its for famous is Lake on the refuge, except controlled hunting and and hunting controlled except refuge, the on Swimming is prohibited at Devils Kitchen Lake. Lake. Kitchen Devils at prohibited is Swimming

excellent opportunities for bank fishing. Crab Orchard Orchard Crab fishing. bank for opportunities excellent Unconfined domestic animals are prohibited prohibited are animals domestic Unconfined it’s not uncommon to be able to see to a depth of 20 feet. feet. 20 of depth a to see to able be to uncommon not it’s

edge including accessible fishing piers that provide provide that piers fishing accessible including edge Domestic Animals Domestic

lake has a maximum depth of 90 feet, and on a clear day day clear a on and feet, 90 of depth maximum a has lake ■

refuge has developed several areas around the water’s water’s the around areas several developed has refuge some of the most crystal clear water in the area. The The area. the in water clear crystal most the of some

Fishing is one of the more popular visitor pastimes. The The pastimes. visitor popular more the of one is Fishing Devils Kitchen Lake features a wooded shoreline and and shoreline wooded a features Lake Kitchen Devils the products is prohibited. is products the

Fishing personal use or consumption. Commercial use of of use Commercial consumption. or use personal

the refuge campgrounds. refuge the

refuge totaling 7,000 acres with 127 miles of shoreline. shoreline. of miles 127 with acres 7,000 totaling refuge mushrooms may be gathered by hand for for hand by gathered be may mushrooms

City State Park, the Shawnee National Forest or one of of one or Forest National Shawnee the Park, State City

Crab Orchard Lake is the largest of the three lakes on the the on lakes three the of largest the is Lake Orchard Crab

Fruits, nuts, berries, and fruiting bodies of of bodies fruiting and berries, nuts, Fruits, refuge’s hunting brochure. hunting refuge’s

planning to visit the wilderness area may camp at Giant Giant at camp may area wilderness the visit to planning

Lakes Collecting Wild Foods Wild Collecting

■ on a daily basis. For more hunting information see the the see information hunting more For basis. daily a on

birdwatchers, anglers and hunters alike. Backpackers Backpackers alike. hunters and anglers birdwatchers,

remaining areas available for goose and duck hunting hunting duck and goose for available areas remaining

area provides a pristine environment for hikers, hikers, for environment pristine a provides area

prohibited on all national wildlife refuges. wildlife national all on prohibited excellent success rate, and the refuge is one of the few few the of one is refuge the and rate, success excellent Lakes. Lakes.

vehicles and equipment are prohibited. The wilderness wilderness The prohibited. are equipment and vehicles

permit is prohibited. The use of metal detectors is is detectors metal of use The prohibited. is permit wildlife populations. Deer and turkey hunters have an an have hunters turkey and Deer populations. wildlife shores of Crab Orchard, Little Grassy and Devils Kitchen Kitchen Devils and Grassy Little Orchard, Crab of shores

impact. Campfires, camping, motorized and mechanical mechanical and motorized camping, Campfires, impact.

or objects of antiquity without a special use use special a without antiquity of objects or recreational opportunities and as a tool for managing managing for tool a as and opportunities recreational experiences are available at campgrounds located on the the on located campgrounds at available are experiences

and is managed by special regulations to minimize human human minimize to regulations special by managed is and

Disturbing, injuring, or collecting plants, animals, animals, plants, collecting or injuring, Disturbing, Hunting is a popular activity that is offered both for for both offered is that activity popular a is Hunting NWR for the entire family. A wide variety of camping camping of variety wide A family. entire the for NWR

This area has been set aside for public use and enjoyment enjoyment and use public for aside set been has area This

Collecting

Hunting ■ Campers can find an outdoor experience at Crab Orchard Orchard Crab at experience outdoor an find can Campers

just south of Devils Kitchen and Little Grassy Lakes. Lakes. Grassy Little and Kitchen Devils of south just

Camping

The 4,050 acre Crab Orchard wilderness area is located located is area wilderness Orchard Crab acre 4,050 The

where controlled structures are provided. provided. are structures controlled where

and the outdoor environment. outdoor the and

Wilderness Area Wilderness

Campfires are allowed only in designated areas areas designated in only allowed are Campfires

atmosphere for people to observe and appreciate wildlife wildlife appreciate and observe to people for atmosphere

the visitor center. visitor the

Campfire

■

Crab Orchard provides habitat for native wildlife, and an an and wildlife, native for habitat provides Orchard Crab can be seen on the refuge. A wildlife list is available at at available is list wildlife A refuge. the on seen be can

visitor center for a current schedule. current a for center visitor

frequent the refuge. Watch for majestic bald eagles that that eagles bald majestic for Watch refuge. the frequent

roundup and monthly interpretive programs. Contact the the Contact programs. interpretive monthly and roundup

campgrounds.

opportunities as it has been set aside for wildlife. for aside set been has it as opportunities through January and more than 245 species of birds birds of species 245 than more and January through

counts, and campground programs as well as a butterfly butterfly a as well as programs campground and counts,

Camping is permitted only in designated designated in only permitted is Camping

Area contains 21,000 acres which has limited recreational recreational limited has which acres 21,000 contains Area areas. Canada geese entertain visitors from November November from visitors entertain geese Canada areas.

including a kids fishing derby, wildflower walks, bird bird walks, wildflower derby, fishing kids a including

Camping

■ land and water open for recreational uses. The Restricted Restricted The uses. recreational for open water and land deer and turkey, common year round, can be seen in many many in seen be can round, year common turkey, and deer

The refuge offers special events throughout the year year the throughout events special offers refuge The

Restricted Area. The Open Area contains 23,000 acres of of acres 23,000 contains Area Open The Area. Restricted developed where wildlife viewing is possible. White-tailed White-tailed possible. is viewing wildlife where developed

Special Events Special

specifically for bicycle and foot traffic. foot and bicycle for specifically the refuge have been divided into an Open Area and a a and Area Open an into divided been have refuge the Points of interest, trails and an auto tour have been been have tour auto an and trails interest, of Points

to motorized vehicles and trails established established trails and vehicles motorized to 44,000 acres. For management purposes, the lands within within lands the purposes, management For acres. 44,000 The refuge is an excellent place for wildlife observation. observation. wildlife for place excellent an is refuge The

programs and resources available to educators. to available resources and programs

Bicycling is permitted only on roads open open roads on only permitted is Bicycling Orchard NWR was established in 1947 and contains contains and 1947 in established was NWR Orchard Wildlife Observation Wildlife

for more information about environmental education education environmental about information more for Bicycling

■ Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crab Crab Service, Wildlife and Fish U.S. the by Managed

shores of Little Grassy Lake. Contact the visitor center center visitor the Contact Lake. Grassy Little of shores

use and may be reserved at the refuge visitor center. visitor refuge the at reserved be may and use

to nature at the refuge’s youth camps located on the the on located camps youth refuge’s the at nature to

Grassy Lakes have a 10 HP motor limit. limit. motor HP 10 a have Lakes Grassy observation and environmental education. education. environmental and observation

sites on Crab Orchard NWR. One area is limited to group group to limited is area One NWR. Orchard Crab on sites

Thousands of children receive their first exposure exposure first their receive children of Thousands

along the shoreline. Devils Kitchen and Little Little and Kitchen Devils shoreline. the along photography, boating, hunting, fishing, camping, wildlife wildlife camping, fishing, hunting, boating, photography,

Visitors may enjoy picnicking at one of several developed developed several of one at picnicking enjoy may Visitors

reinforce indoor instruction through outdoor experiences. experiences. outdoor through instruction indoor reinforce

Crab Orchard Lake has a 150 feet No Wake Zone Zone Wake No feet 150 a has Lake Orchard Crab recreational opportunities including hiking, picnicking, picnicking, hiking, including opportunities recreational

Picnicking

gained by the many students who come to the refuge and and refuge the to come who students many the by gained

Boating

Crab Orchard NWR is host to a multitude of wonderful wonderful of multitude a to host is NWR Orchard Crab ■

wildlands and wildlife. A greater appreciation of nature is is nature of appreciation greater A wildlife. and wildlands Welcome to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge! Refuge! Wildlife National Orchard Crab to Welcome

cliffs. activity conducted on the refuge for the future of of future the for refuge the on conducted activity

A Place for Recreation for Place A campgrounds is prohibited. is campgrounds

hardwood forests, wetlands, waterfalls and sandstone sandstone and waterfalls wetlands, forests, hardwood Environmental education is perhaps the most important important most the perhaps is education Environmental

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge: Refuge: Wildlife National Orchard Crab or use of alcoholic beverages in the refuge refuge the in beverages alcoholic of use or

NWR. Hiking trails meander through pine plantations, plantations, pine through meander trails Hiking NWR. Environmental Education Environmental

under the age of 21 is prohibited. The possession possession The prohibited. is 21 of age the under

to experience the year round beauty of Crab Orchard Orchard Crab of beauty round year the experience to

Contributing alcoholic beverages to a person person a to beverages alcoholic Contributing

A variety of trails offer visitors numerous opportunities opportunities numerous visitors offer trails of variety A

all vital breeding grounds for migratory birds. migratory for grounds breeding vital all by persons under the age of 21 is prohibited. prohibited. is 21 of age the under persons by Lakes.

Hiking

areas, many scattered throughout the upper Midwest and and Midwest upper the throughout scattered many areas, The possession or use of alcoholic beverages beverages alcoholic of use or possession The 10 hp is prohibited on Devils Kitchen and Little Grassy Grassy Little and Kitchen Devils on prohibited is hp 10

System also includes thousands of waterfowl production production waterfowl of thousands includes also System under the influence of alcohol is prohibited. prohibited. is alcohol of influence the under provides slip rentals. Use of boat motors of more than than more of motors boat of Use rentals. slip provides

states and most United States territories. The Refuge Refuge The territories. States United most and states for further details. details. further for Entering or remaining on the refuge when when refuge the on remaining or Entering with state and federal regulations. Crab Orchard Marina Marina Orchard Crab regulations. federal and state with

nearly 100 million acres of lands and waters in all 50 50 all in waters and lands of acres million 100 nearly the refuge visitor center. Please contact the visitor center center visitor the contact Please center. visitor refuge the Alcoholic Beverages Alcoholic

Boating is permitted on all three lakes in accordance accordance in lakes three all on permitted is Boating ■

now consists of more than 540 refuges encompassing encompassing refuges 540 than more of consists now photography contest where photographs are displayed at at displayed are photographs where contest photography

Theodore Roosevelt, the National Wildlife Refuge System System Refuge Wildlife National the Roosevelt, Theodore photographs. Every fall, the refuge is host to an amateur amateur an to host is refuge the fall, Every photographs. experience, please follow these guidelines: these follow please experience, of 27 feet. feet. 27 of

and wildlife heritage. Established in 1903 by President President by 1903 in Established heritage. wildlife and there is always an opportunity to take some spectacular spectacular some take to opportunity an always is there provide all visitors with a safe, enjoyable recreation recreation enjoyable safe, a with visitors all provide lake has over 36 miles of shoreline with an average depth depth average an with shoreline of miles 36 over has lake

Wildlife Refuge System to help protect America’s fish fish America’s protect help to System Refuge Wildlife With all of the wildlife and beautiful scenery at the refuge refuge the at scenery beautiful and wildlife the of all With To protect the natural resources of the refuge and to to and refuge the of resources natural the protect To as you take in the beautiful surroundings. This 1,200 acre acre 1,200 This surroundings. beautiful the in take you as

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the National National the manages Service Wildlife and Fish U.S. The Photography Public Use Regulations Use Public Little Grassy Lake is a great place to find a little solitude solitude little a find to place great a is Lake Grassy Little

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ■ Group Events Entrance Fees Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge A special use permit is required to hold a group Vehicle (1 day) $2.00 per vehicle 8588 Route 148 event on the refuge to which the public is invited, (covers all passengers) Marion, IL 62959 whether or not an use fee is charged. Vehicle (7 days) $5.00 per vehicle 618/997 3344 Crab Orchard (covers all passengers) ■ Fireworks Vehicle (annual pass July-June) $15.00 first vehicle Hearing impaired persons may contact Crab Possession or use of fireworks or explosives is not (covers all passengers) Orchard NWR through the Federal Relay National Wildlife Refuge allowed on the refuge. Federal Duck Stamp $15.00 first vehicle Number at 1 800/877 8339. (annual pass July-June) Recreation ■ Private Structures (covers all passengers) http://midwest.fws.gov/craborchard Private structures of any kind are not allowed on Interagency Senior Pass $10.00 US residents the refuge without a special use permit, except age 62 or older lifetime U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for temporary blinds and stands which must be pass 1 800/344 WILD dismantled at the end of each day. Interagency Annual Pass $65.00 valid for one http:www.fws.gov/ year from month ■ Rock Climbing purchased. Interagency Access Pass Free - medically g Rappelling, free-style and technical rock climbing in prohibited. determined to be permanently disabled ■ Swimming lifetime pass. Swimming is prohibited at Devils Kitchen Lake, the restricted area of Crab Orchard Lake, For a family purchasing an annual entrance pass marina areas, and within 100 feet of boat ramps, (excluding the Interagency Passes) additional annual spillways, causeways, and dams. Public nudity is passes for immediate family members at the same prohibited. address, will be $ 5.00. Lake Use Fees ■ Vegetation Cutting, removing, or damaging any tree or other All vessels/boats using the refuge will be assessed a lake vegetation, standing or down, live or dead, is use fee charge. This includes vessels that are in dry prohibited, without a written permit. storage and/or maintained in slips at the marinas. Vessel (1 day) $2.00 per vessel ■ Vehicles Vessel (7-days) $5.00 per vessel Motorized vehicles are prohibited on refuge lands Vessel (annual pass July-June) $10.00 first vessel except on designated public roads and routes of $5.00 each additional travel. Parking beyond vehicle control barriers, vessel or on grass or other vegetation is prohibited. Holders of Interagency Senior and Access Pass are ■ Recreation Use Fees authorized a 50% discount of the full value price for Lake Entrance and User fees are required for all Use Fees. Additional annual vessel passes are already vehicles and boats using the refuge. Passes discounted, therefore all additional passes are $ 5.00. are available at the refuge visitor center and campgrounds. In order for the pass to be valid it must be affixed directly to the vessel on the port (left) bow next to, but not overlapping the state registration.

Special Recreation Permit Fees For specialized uses such as group activities, recreational events and rental fees.

Fish-off Permit $35.00 per organization (permit allows the organization to host 1 fish-off at each of the three lakes per season) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Crab Orchard NWR Nature Trails

1 Harmony Trail Trail Head Pigeon Creek Road, .25 miles west of State Route 148. Description This trail is marked by an A-frame structure near its entrance and will take you through a variety of habitats from pine plantations to wetlands to hardwood forests. On the trail there is a photo blind overlooking a wetland area. Excellent opportunities for photography of wildlife including birds, reptiles, and amphibians exist. Length An easy 1 mile loop. � � � � � 2 Woodland Trail Trail Head Visitor center on State Route 148, east side of parking lot. Description This is an easy partially paved trail that is used 1 periodically for educational programs. This trail � 2 includes two fishing piers on the Visitor’s Pond � that is open seasonally for fishing from March 15 to September 30. When not being utilized � for fishing, these piers provide an excellent � opportunity for waterfowl viewing. This walk also offers a pleasant atmosphere for morning bird � walks. Length An easy .9 mile loop. �

3 Wild Turkey Trail Trail Head The north entrance is located on Grassy Road, .6 miles west of South Wolf Creek Road. The south entrance is on Tacoma Lake Road, 1.5 miles south of Grassy Road. Description This young forest trail will take you through a variety of habitats from pine plantations to hardwood forests and is generally mowed � during the summer months. The trail is located along several ridgetops which makes it excellent � for wildlife viewing. Length A moderate 1.7 mile walk one way. �

4 Rocky Bluff Trail � Trail Head Tacoma Lake Road, .5 miles south of Grassy Road. 4 Description The trail winds through a wide variety of habitats � 3 and some of the most spectacular scenery on the � refuge. There are intermittent waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, and some steep, rocky sections of trail may make hiking difficult at times, but very worthwhile. This beautiful trail is very popular with hikers and is host to our annual Spring Wildflower Walk held on Saturdays in April. This � trail is graced with over 60 varieties of wildflowers 6 such as bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches and celandine poppy. Length A moderately difficult 1.8 mile loop. 5

5 River to River Trail 5 Trail Head On Rocky Comfort Road 3.4 miles south of Grassy ������� � ��������� Road and also at Pleasant Hill Spur Trail on Devils ���� Kitchen Road. Description The beautiful River to River trail spans over 160 � ������������ miles of Southern Illinois with a five mile section through the refuge. This is the only trail located ���������� on the refuge that is open seasonally to horseback � riding. Sections of the River to River Trail located on the refuge run through the scenic wilderness area. Length A moderately difficult walk. Three miles of the trail runs through the refuge.

We hope you enjoy the nature trails of 6 Grassy Creek Trail Trail Head .5 miles south of Tacoma Lake Road at the Grassy Crab Orchard NWR. There are six trails Creek bridge. that offer visitors numerous opportunities Description This trail was once an old road with a wide paved surface that is perfect for the novice hiker wanting to experience the year round beauty of to do some wildlife viewing. It is in a hardwood the refuge. Every season offers something forest and provides scenic views of the beautiful special in the outdoors and you need Devils Kitchen Lake. The eastern part of the trail is bordered by Crab Orchard National Wilderness no special equipment - just a good pair Area. of shoes and the desire to be outside. If Length A moderately difficult 1.4 mile loop. you walk quietly and use your senses to observe, you will increase your chances of seeing some of the more secretive wildlife. The following trails are open to foot travel only. Remember to tread lightly and respect other trail users.