Clark Island Recreation Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Clark Island Recreation Area is located in the state of Illinois and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.


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Summary

The area offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, including fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and picnicking.

One of the main reasons to visit Clark Island Recreation Area is its scenic beauty. The area is home to a number of picturesque lakes and rivers, as well as lush forests and meadows. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of wildlife, including mammals, birds, and fish.

There are several points of interest to see at Clark Island Recreation Area, including the Clark Island Wildlife Viewing Area, which provides visitors with the opportunity to observe a variety of bird species. Other popular attractions include the campground, which offers modern amenities and easy access to the recreational areas, and the boat launch, which provides easy access to the water for boating and fishing.

Interesting facts about the area include its history as a popular fishing destination in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The area was also used as a steamboat landing and sawmill location.

The best time of year to visit Clark Island Recreation Area depends on the activities you plan on participating in. Spring and summer are popular for boating and fishing, while fall is a great time for hiking and enjoying the changing colors of the leaves. Winter activities include ice fishing and cross-country skiing.

Overall, Clark Island Recreation Area is a great destination for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors in Illinois.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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