Illinois DNR
@illinoisdnr.bsky.social
Official account of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. State parks, historic sites, wildlife, water, mines, education and more. #findyourselfoutdoors
Celebrate the reopening of the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetland Center at Cache River State Natural Area in southern Illinois from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10!
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Celebrate the reopening of the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetland Center at Cache River State Natural Area in southern Illinois from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10!
Join us on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Lake County for WinterFest. Enjoy live music, bog tours, photography and a snow sculpture contest. Learn more on the Volo Bog website here: friendsofvolobog.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Join us on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Lake County for WinterFest. Enjoy live music, bog tours, photography and a snow sculpture contest. Learn more on the Volo Bog website here: friendsofvolobog.org
Don’t miss IDNR’s January newsletter! This issue covers deer harvest totals, eagle watching opportunities, snowmobile safety, and more.
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
January 5, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Don’t miss IDNR’s January newsletter! This issue covers deer harvest totals, eagle watching opportunities, snowmobile safety, and more.
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
The Giant City State Park Gnome Roam is on. Seven trails, seven whimsical winter gnomes waiting to be found. Snap pics, track your finds, and collect a patch when you’ve spotted them all. Gnomes can be found through the end of February!
December 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The Giant City State Park Gnome Roam is on. Seven trails, seven whimsical winter gnomes waiting to be found. Snap pics, track your finds, and collect a patch when you’ve spotted them all. Gnomes can be found through the end of February!
Celebrate the winter solstice on Sunday, Dec. 21 at Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere, as the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky. To learn more, visit cahokiamounds.org/events/2025-...
December 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Celebrate the winter solstice on Sunday, Dec. 21 at Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere, as the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky. To learn more, visit cahokiamounds.org/events/2025-...
Snowy photos from Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry County.
December 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Snowy photos from Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry County.
Exciting news! The Illinois State Museum has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies and the public
December 15, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Exciting news! The Illinois State Museum has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies and the public
Interested in turkey hunting in the spring? The second lottery for the spring turkey season opens Friday, Dec. 12. Learn more here: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turk...
December 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Interested in turkey hunting in the spring? The second lottery for the spring turkey season opens Friday, Dec. 12. Learn more here: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turk...
The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site will host the Arrival at Camp River Dubois event Dec. 13–14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free reenactments and demonstrations marking the 222nd anniversary of the Expedition’s Illinois winter encampment.
December 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site will host the Arrival at Camp River Dubois event Dec. 13–14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free reenactments and demonstrations marking the 222nd anniversary of the Expedition’s Illinois winter encampment.
Don’t miss IDNR’s December newsletter! This issue covers Starved Rock’s $18 million trail renovation project, public comment on mine reclamation, Rend Lake Resort renovation, and more.
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
December 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Don’t miss IDNR’s December newsletter! This issue covers Starved Rock’s $18 million trail renovation project, public comment on mine reclamation, Rend Lake Resort renovation, and more.
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...
A snowy prescribed burn in the marsh at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park located in Lake County.
December 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A snowy prescribed burn in the marsh at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park located in Lake County.
Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season wraps up Dec. 4-7. Remember, youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit can use it during this time. This is the first year that unfilled youth permits are valid for both segments of firearm season. Good luck and safe hunting!
December 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season wraps up Dec. 4-7. Remember, youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit can use it during this time. This is the first year that unfilled youth permits are valid for both segments of firearm season. Good luck and safe hunting!
Did you know that when it snows, a special zone is created called the subnivean zone? This insulated space between the bottom of the snow layer, and the top of the frozen ground provides a safe space for small mammals! Learn all about it here: dnr.illinois.gov/education/at...
December 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Did you know that when it snows, a special zone is created called the subnivean zone? This insulated space between the bottom of the snow layer, and the top of the frozen ground provides a safe space for small mammals! Learn all about it here: dnr.illinois.gov/education/at...
Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 21-23. Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season will conclude Dec. 4-7. www.illinois.gov/content/dam/...
December 2, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 21-23. Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season will conclude Dec. 4-7. www.illinois.gov/content/dam/...
Happy opening day of firearm deer season! We hope hunters have a safe and successful first weekend. The 2025 Illinois firearm deer season dates are Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7.
November 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Happy opening day of firearm deer season! We hope hunters have a safe and successful first weekend. The 2025 Illinois firearm deer season dates are Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7.
Big news for Starved Rock State Park! Starved Rock will stay open during a $18M trail upgrade (part of $37.2M in improvements) through 2026—making trails safer, reopening closed paths & protecting sensitive habitats.
More info here: dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
More info here: dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
November 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Big news for Starved Rock State Park! Starved Rock will stay open during a $18M trail upgrade (part of $37.2M in improvements) through 2026—making trails safer, reopening closed paths & protecting sensitive habitats.
More info here: dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
More info here: dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
The new 2025 Illinois list of endangered and threatened plants & animals is now available. Every 5 years, the State of Illinois identifies species that need protection under the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. Find the new list here: dnr.illinois.gov/espb/etlista...
November 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The new 2025 Illinois list of endangered and threatened plants & animals is now available. Every 5 years, the State of Illinois identifies species that need protection under the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. Find the new list here: dnr.illinois.gov/espb/etlista...
Learn about Thanksgiving as a national holiday & visit with Lincoln family reenactors as they prepare a mid-19th century holiday feast at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site – the former home of the 16th president’s parents - from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28.
November 14, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Learn about Thanksgiving as a national holiday & visit with Lincoln family reenactors as they prepare a mid-19th century holiday feast at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site – the former home of the 16th president’s parents - from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28.
Don’t miss your chance to step back in time! In the Middle is now open at the ISM-Lockport Gallery, offering a look at childhood in 1940s Bloomington, Illinois through the eyes of Sybil Stern Mervis and her peers. Learn more here: www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/welcome-ism-...
November 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Don’t miss your chance to step back in time! In the Middle is now open at the ISM-Lockport Gallery, offering a look at childhood in 1940s Bloomington, Illinois through the eyes of Sybil Stern Mervis and her peers. Learn more here: www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/welcome-ism-...
Greetings from Matthiessen State Park in LaSalle County, where the autumn golds, yellows and oranges have us feeling gobsmacked. Where are you seeing beautiful fall foliage? 😍🍁🍂
November 7, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Greetings from Matthiessen State Park in LaSalle County, where the autumn golds, yellows and oranges have us feeling gobsmacked. Where are you seeing beautiful fall foliage? 😍🍁🍂
IDNR is hosting 2 additional public meetings to gather input on duck season split timing (2026–2030):
Nov 12, 6–8PM – SIU Carbondale, Lawson Hall Rm 151
Nov 13, 6–8PM – Carlyle HS Cafeteria
South & current south-central zone hunters encouraged to attend. No registration needed.
Nov 12, 6–8PM – SIU Carbondale, Lawson Hall Rm 151
Nov 13, 6–8PM – Carlyle HS Cafeteria
South & current south-central zone hunters encouraged to attend. No registration needed.
November 7, 2025 at 4:09 PM
IDNR is hosting 2 additional public meetings to gather input on duck season split timing (2026–2030):
Nov 12, 6–8PM – SIU Carbondale, Lawson Hall Rm 151
Nov 13, 6–8PM – Carlyle HS Cafeteria
South & current south-central zone hunters encouraged to attend. No registration needed.
Nov 12, 6–8PM – SIU Carbondale, Lawson Hall Rm 151
Nov 13, 6–8PM – Carlyle HS Cafeteria
South & current south-central zone hunters encouraged to attend. No registration needed.
Did you know that Fort Massac State Park was the FIRST Illinois state park? In 1903, through the efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 24 acres surrounding the site were purchased by the state. On Nov. 5, 1908, Fort Massac was officially dedicated as a state park!
November 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Did you know that Fort Massac State Park was the FIRST Illinois state park? In 1903, through the efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 24 acres surrounding the site were purchased by the state. On Nov. 5, 1908, Fort Massac was officially dedicated as a state park!
The Sangamon River Poets: Masters, Lindsay, and Sandburg will be on Nov. 8 (7pm) & Nov. 9 (3pm) at Lincoln’s New Salem in Petersburg! The play features dramatic interpretations of poetry and prose by Vachel Lindsay, Edgar Lee Masters, and Carl Sandburg. illinoistimestix.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The Sangamon River Poets: Masters, Lindsay, and Sandburg will be on Nov. 8 (7pm) & Nov. 9 (3pm) at Lincoln’s New Salem in Petersburg! The play features dramatic interpretations of poetry and prose by Vachel Lindsay, Edgar Lee Masters, and Carl Sandburg. illinoistimestix.com
Turkey hunters in Illinois harvested 255 wild turkeys during the 2025 fall firearm season Oct. 18-26, compared to 294 harvested last year.
To learn more, visit dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
To learn more, visit dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
November 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Turkey hunters in Illinois harvested 255 wild turkeys during the 2025 fall firearm season Oct. 18-26, compared to 294 harvested last year.
To learn more, visit dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
To learn more, visit dnr.illinois.gov/news.html
Looking for something new to explore? Volo Bog State Natural Area offers various programs and events throughout the year that you won’t want to miss. Weekend bog tours, bird walks and weekday walks with a naturalist are regular offerings at the bog.
October 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Looking for something new to explore? Volo Bog State Natural Area offers various programs and events throughout the year that you won’t want to miss. Weekend bog tours, bird walks and weekday walks with a naturalist are regular offerings at the bog.