Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Unfortunately, there seems to be an error in the prompt as Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge is actually located in Illinois, not Wisconsin.
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Summary
Here is a summary for the correct location:
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area located in southern Illinois. It is situated near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, making it an important stopover for migratory birds.
One of the main reasons to visit the refuge is for birdwatching, as over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, fishing, and hunting in designated areas.
Specific points of interest within the refuge include the Cache River Wetlands, a unique ecosystem with cypress-tupelo swamps and bottomland hardwood forests, and the Shawnee Hills, a range of hills formed by ancient glaciers.
Interesting facts about the refuge include the presence of the largest known population of the endangered Indiana bat and the fact that the refuge was created in response to the devastating 1993 flood along the Mississippi River.
The best time of year to visit Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge for birdwatching is during the spring and fall migration seasons. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers different activities depending on the season.
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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
Boatwright Wildlife Management Area
Fort Defiance Park
Ballard Wildlife Management Area
Horseshoe Lake Nature Preserve
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site