Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area is a 6,500-acre protected area located in the state of Illinois.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
This wildlife area is a great place to visit for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. The Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area is a home to various species of flora and fauna, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
One of the key reasons to visit Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area is to enjoy its beautiful natural scenery and wildlife. Visitors can hike or bike through the area's trails and explore the various habitats, including wetlands, forests, and savannas. The area is also an excellent spot for birdwatching, with over 200 bird species recorded in the region.
Specific points of interest in the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area include the Spoon River, which runs through the area, and the Sand Prairie-Scrub Oak Nature Preserve. Visitors can also explore the various ponds and lakes within the protected area.
Interesting facts about the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area include its history as a former hunting ground for Native Americans. In the 1940s and 50s, the area was also used for military training exercises.
The best time of year to visit the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area is during the spring and fall months, when the wildlife is most active, and the weather is mild. It is important to note that hunting is allowed in the area during certain times of the year, so it is essential to check hunting schedules before planning a visit.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Sugar River Forest Preserve - Riverfront
Sugar River Forest Preserve - Pine Tree
Rivers Edge Campground
Hononegah Forest Preserve Campground
Nature Preserve Colored Sands Bluff
Sugar River Forest Preserve
Beckman Mill Park
Nature Preserve Sugar River Alder
Rockton Bog Nature Preserve