Visit Us
Current Events and News | Hiking & Wildlife Observation
Hunting and Fishing | Regulations
Weather and Climate | Driving Directions | Office Hours
More than 50,000 people visit the refuges each year. If you are planning to visit us, you may be interested in viewing the following sites:
Web Sites to Neighboring Cities and Counties
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City of Havana, 8 miles southwest of Chautauqua Refuge
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Fulton County Tourism Bureau, Emiquon Refuge
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City of Lewistown, 5 miles west of Emiquon Refuge (309) 547-4300
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City of Beardstown, 10 miles north of Meredosia Refuge
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Village of Meredosia, Meredosia Refuge
Places of Interest and Events Near Chautauqua and Emiquon National Wildlife Refuges
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Henry Gleason Nature Preserve - For more information, contact the Illinois Preserves Commission at 309/543-3950.
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Illinois River Valley Auto Tour (1.03 MB Adobe pdf file)
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Places of Interest and Events near Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge
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LaGrange Lock and Dam at Meredosia - open for Meredosia Eagle Days tour
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The Nature Conservancy's Merwin Preserve/Spunky Bottoms Area - phone 309/547- 2730
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Meredosia River Museum 217/584-1356
Directions to the Refuges
Directions to Chautauqua Refuge
From Havana: Follow Promenade Street north. As you are leaving Havana, travel the Manito Blacktop north for nine miles until you see the Chautauqua Refuge sign on the right side of the road. Turn left at this sign onto County Road 1950E. Drive one mile on County Road 1950E. You will see another Chautauqua Refuge sign on the left side of the road. Turn left at this sign and drive one-half mile to the Refuge Headquarters. This location also serves as the Complex Office for Illinois River Refuges Complex.
From Pekin: Follow Route 9 south through Pekin. Turn right onto Manito Road at the stoplight at Correctional Facility. Follow Manito Road approximately 20 miles. A Chautauqua Refuge sign is placed on the left side of the Manito Blacktop just before Quiver Creek. Turn right onto County Road 1950E as directed by Chautauqua Refuge sign. Drive one mile on County Road 1950E. You will see another Chautauqua Refuge sign on the left side of the road. Turn left at this sign and drive one-half mile to the Refuge Headquarters.
If you are unfamiliar with Havana, you will find a 
map of the city of Havana and a map showing the location of Mason County at these links provided by Infobahn Outfitters.
Directions to Emiquon Refuge
From Lewistown: Follow Route 24 east to the Route 78/97 Junction. Turn onto Route 78/97. To bird the South Globe, continue on Route 78/97 to the Dickson Mounds sign. Turn west onto County Highway 9. Please use the first access road on the south side of County Highway 9. For Emiquon's nature trail, boat access and hunting area, continue 1/2 mile beyond Dickson Mounds sign on Route 78/97 to the Spoon River. 
For a map of the Emiquon area, click here (84 KB). If you are unfamiliar with Lewistown, you will find a map of Fulton County Communities and a map showing the location of Fulton County at these links provided by Infobahn Outfitters
From Havana: Follow Route 136 west over the Illinois River Bridge. Turn onto Route 78/97 one-half mile west of bridge. Emiquon's nature trail, boat access and hunting area are located approximately one mile from Route 136. For birding on the South Globe area, continue on Route 78/97 to the Dickson Mounds sign. Turn west onto County Highway 9. Please use the first access road on the south side of County Highway 9. For a map of the Emiquon area, click here (84 KB). If you are unfamiliar with Havana, you will find a map of the city of Havana and a map showing the location of Mason County at these links provided by Infobahn Outfitters.
Directions to Meredosia Refuge
From Beardstown: Follow Route 67 south from Beardstown approximately 10 miles to Highway 104. Turn west onto Highway 104 and continue to the village of Meredosia. Follow 104 to Putnam Street. Turn north onto Putnam Street. Follow Putnam to T intersection, turn east and then north onto Beach Road. Follow Beach Road approximately 1/2 mile to Meredosia Visitor Access. For a scenic drive along Meredosia Lake, turn north as you leave Meredosia Visitor Access onto Beach Road. Follow Beach Road 2.5 miles along the lake. Beach Road turns into Morgan/Cass Road at the top of the levee. To access the Shearl/Skinner Wetland Area, travel the Morgan/Cass Road approximately 1/2 mile, turning south onto Towhead Road. Travel Towhead Road 1.3 miles to the Meredosia Refuge sign. Turn west onto the gravel drive that leads to the parking area for this wetland. To exit, return to Toehead Road. Turn south and follow Toehead approximately 1 mile to Koch's Lane. You may turn east to follow Koch's Lane back to Highway 67. If you are unfamiliar with Meredosia, you will find a map showing the communities of Morgan County and a map showing the location of Morgan County at these links provided by Infobahn Outfitters.
From Jacksonville: Follow Route 67 North approximately 25 miles to Highway 104. Turn west onto Highway 104 and continue to the village of Meredosia. Follow 104 to Putnam Street. Turn north onto Putnam Street. Follow Putnam to T intersection, turn east and then north onto Beach Road. Follow Beach Road approximately 1/2 mile to Meredosia Visitor Access. For additional viewing areas, refer to directions from Beardstown. If you are unfamiliar with Jacksonville, you will find a map of the city of Jacksonville and a map showing the location of Morgan County at this link provided by Infobahn Outfitters.
Office Hours
The Headquarters at Chautauqua Refuge is open from 7:30 to 4:00, Monday through Friday. Visitors are welcome during daylight hours, but when the office is closed, only pit toilets are available and there is no running water.
