Outdoor Adventure Awaits
Havana, Illinois sits right in the heart of an area that is rich with vast natural resources, creating an outdoor playground for all to enjoy. We are right on the bank of the Illinois River with direct access to the river, and within a few miles of Havana lies the Dickson Mounds State Museum, the Emiquon Preserve and two National Wildlife Refuges. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, birding, kayaking, exploring or just spending some time outside, discover all of the options within a few minutes of downtown Havana!
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd. Lewistown, IL (309) 547-3721 Take an awe inspiring journey through 12,000 years of human experience in the Illinois River Valley through interpretive exhibits, hands on activities and archaeological sites and displays. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the entire Emiquon complex and the Illinois River Valley from the roof observation deck! It is a site you won't want to miss! Open Daily: 8:30-5:00 Admission is FREE. Donations are accepted. Closed: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge 19031 E County Road 2110N Havana, IL (309-535-2290 Fishing, birding, hiking trails, and many more nature encounters await at this huge site. In 2018, miles of brand new hiking trails were created for all outdoor enthusiast to enjoy! For more information and to plan your visit, please visit the website. 
Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
647 N State HWY 100 Astoria, IL (309) 759-4484 Boating, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, picknicking and much more offered at this beautiful State site only a 15 minute drive Southwest of Havana. 
Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery
Rural Mason County Forest City, IL (309) 968-7531 Jake Wolf is the largest of the hatcheries in Illinois, located 5 miles west of Manito, IL. It encompasses the 160 acres of Sand Ridge State Forest. A visitor center is located on the upper level and overlooks the view of different stages of fish production. Other attractions include antique fishing tackle display, harvesting the river exhibit and live and static fish displays. Plan your visit today! |
The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve
11304 N Prairie Road Lewistown, IL (309) 547-2730 The Emiquon Preserve is the largest floodplain restoration project in the Midwest and is designated a wetland of International Importance. It offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities including birding, hiking, paddling, fishing and hunting. The visitor Use area is open daily. Visit the Experience Emiquon website for maps and details about permits and fishing, hunting, hiking and boating on the lake. 
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge 19031 E County Road 2110N Havana, IL (309) 535-2290 Emiquon Refuge was established to restore and protect wetland habitats at the confluence of the Illinois and Spoon Rivers including almost 2,600 acres of wetland. This is a great site to hike and bird and is located directly adjacent to the Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve and just a 5 minute drive from Dickson Mounds Museum. 
Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
19721 N US 24 Canton, IL (309) 647-9184 Camping, fishing, birding, hiking trails, hunting, picknicking and much more offered at this great State site only a 25 minute drive Northeast of Havana. 
Sand Ridge State Forest
Rural Mason County Forest City, IL (309) 597-2212 7,200 acre State site with many outdoor opportunities including camping, hiking trails, cross country skiing, snowmobile trails, hunting, dog training, equestrian trails, geocaching, archery range, mountain bike trails, picknicking and birding. Visit this outstanding site just a 25 minute drive Northeast of Havana. |
Natural Resource Partners in Research
Havana Illinois is home to some of the nations top research facilities for waterfowl, wetlands, shorebirds, moist soil communities, native fish, invasive species, vegetation, mussels and many other species. Because of our rich resources and our location in the Illinois River Valley, we are home to the University of Illinois' Forbes Biological Station, Illinois River Biological Station and the UIS Therkildsen Field Station. Visit their websites to learn more about current research as well as employment opportunities.
Banded waterfowl release -photo: Michelle Horath
Forbes Biological Station
20003 CR 1770E Havana, IL (217) 332-DUCK (3825) Staff conduct research on a variety of topics relevant to wetland ecosystems, with specific focus on ecology and management of wetlands, waterfowl, and other waterbirds, as well as brood counts and covermapping of the Emiquon Preserve. For more information and to view the weekly aerial inventory duck counts please visit the website. 
UIS Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon
11316 N Prairie Road Lewistown, IL 61542 (309) 547-2533 The Therkildsen Field Station supports exciting and quality research in the Emiquon Preserve and the surrounding area, regardless of topic, specialty, or affiliation. In its short history, the TFSE has supported a range of research projects, both inside and outside of the Emiquon Preserve, with the focus ranging from microbial ecology to prairie restoration to insect venom. To learn more about current and past research at the TFSE, please visit our website. |
Pulling fishing nets at Treadway Lake by fisheries biologists
Illinois River Biological Station
704 N Schrader Avenue Havana, IL (309) 543-6000 Staff conduct research on the LaGrange Reach of the Illinois River, as well as the Mississippi River collecting data through nets and electrofishing. They are also involved in research surrounding the invasive Asian carp, zooplankton communities and fish and vegetation monitoring at the Emiquon Preserve. 
Experience Emiquon
Visit the Emiquon Complex Today! Experience Emiquon is a cooperative effort between Dickson Mounds Museum, The Nature Conservancy, UIS Therkildsen Field Station, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Illinois Natural History Survey. The website was created to provide information on the restoration of the Emiquon Nature Preserve and the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, and as a place to post information on public events and opportunities relating to Emiquon. Check out our listing of exciting upcoming events and plan your visit! |
