Crab Orchard
Marion, IL 62959
Plan Your Visit
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. A visit to a national wildlife refuge is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors and discover a new place. Visitors can enjoy the four seasons at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, hiking a trail in spring while their eyes experiences a collage of colors through the wildflowers or while kayaking in a summer sunset. Whether you enjoy hiking, canoeing, hunting, camping, picnicking, wildlife photography or birdwatching a visit to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a great way to explore nature.
Directions: From I-57: Take exit 54 onto IL-13W for 4.3 miles to the IL-148 intersection. Turn left onto IL-148 south for 1.8 miles, turn right onto Pigeon Creek Road. Travel 0.7 miles, turn left onto Headquarters Road. From I-24: Merge onto I-57 N to exit 45 (IL-148). Take IL-148 north for 7.7 miles. Turn left onto Pigeon Creek Road. Travel 0.7 miles, turn left onto Headquarters Road.
Passes can be purchased at the Crab Orchard Campground (Summer Hours 9am-6pm, Winter Hours 11am-5pm) or at Recreation.gov.
America the Beautiful interagency passes, including Annual, Senior, Access, Military, Every Kid Outdoors, or Volunteer passes, provide entrance for one vehicle to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The Every Kid Outdoors program specifically allows 4th-graders to visit for free.
Facilities at Crab Orchard
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Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love.
Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Services
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge offers services including Special Use Permits for commercial, recreational, and research activities to ensure compatibility with federal standards. It also facilitates the distribution of Federal Recreation Passes and Every Kid Outdoors passes for 4th-grade students.
About
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 5, 1947, and consists of 44,000 acres featuring habitats such as upland forests, wetlands, and lakes. The refuge is managed for four primary purposes: wildlife conservation, agriculture, industry, and recreation. It includes a 4,050-acre congressionally designated wilderness area and has seen annual visitation exceeding one million people since 1956.