Calamus Lake Nature Preserve

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Calamus Lake Nature Preserve is a 140-acre natural preserve in Illinois that offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature.


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Summary

The preserve is located in Henry County, and it is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

One of the primary reasons to visit Calamus Lake Nature Preserve is to enjoy the natural scenery. The preserve includes a variety of habitats, including wetlands, prairies, and woodlands, which provide a home for a diverse range of plant and animal species. Visitors can enjoy hiking through the preserve's trails and observing the wildlife.

The preserve is also home to several points of interest that are worth seeing. One of the most notable is Calamus Lake, which is a large, shallow lake that covers over 50 acres. The lake provides habitat for a variety of aquatic plants and animals, including fish, turtles, and waterfowl.

In addition to the lake, visitors can explore the preserve's wetlands and prairies, which are home to a variety of wildflowers and grasses. The wetlands provide a habitat for a variety of birds, including herons, egrets, and sandpipers.

Interesting facts about Calamus Lake Nature Preserve include its history as a former gravel pit and its designation as a state nature preserve in 2007. The preserve is also part of the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, which offers visitors additional opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The best time of year to visit Calamus Lake Nature Preserve depends on the visitor's interests. Spring and summer are great times to see the wildflowers and nesting birds, while fall provides an opportunity to see the changing colors of the leaves. Winter can be a good time to observe wintering waterfowl and other wildlife.

       

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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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