Navarino Wildlife Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Navarino Wildlife Area is a 15,000-acre wildlife area located in the state of Illinois, USA.


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Summary

The wildlife area offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors, including hiking, bird watching, fishing, and hunting. The area is a popular destination for nature lovers, bird enthusiasts, and hunters.

One of the main attractions of Navarino Wildlife Area is its diverse wildlife. The area is home to more than 250 species of birds, including Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, and Trumpeter Swans. The area also supports a variety of mammals, such as American Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, and Gray Wolves.

Visitors can explore the area's natural beauty by taking a walk along the many hiking trails that wind through the wildlife area. Some of the most popular trails include the Navarino Nature Center Trail, the Wandering Fox Trail, and the Deer Track Trail. The area also has several ponds and streams where visitors can fish for trout, bass, and other species.

In addition to its natural beauty, Navarino Wildlife Area has several historical sites, including the 1850s-era Cooley's Stone House and the historic Navarino Railroad Depot. Visitors can also learn about the area's cultural history at the Navarino Nature Center, which features exhibits on the area's Native American heritage and pioneer history.

The best time to visit Navarino Wildlife Area depends on the visitors' interests. Spring is an excellent time to see migratory birds, while fall is an ideal time for hunting and fishing. The area is open year-round, and visitors should check the area's website for information on current conditions and closures.

Overall, Navarino Wildlife Area is an excellent destination for anyone looking to explore Illinois's natural beauty and wildlife. With its diverse range of activities and attractions, the area is sure to offer something for everyone.

       

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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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