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Illinois Waterway

Eastern National

NOTICE: Many states are discouraging or banning movement of firewood to control spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Not bringing wood from home to your campsite and not taking unused wood you procure while camping home with you is recommended -- required in some states. Check the following website to learn more: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

See the Illinois Waterway website for additional information. Primary recreational opportunities are listed below.

Visitor Center
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center (815) 667-4054

Directions & Lake History/Factoid
Directions: The Visitor Center is located at Starved Rock Lock and Dam on the Illinois River between Ottawa and Utica. From I-80 take exit 81 and follow the signs south through Utica. Turn left immediately prior to the bridge. Follow the road until you see the lock.

Factoid: The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center offers the opportunity to observe a working lock and dam as well as towboats navigating through the Starved Rock Lock, which is one of eight on the Illinois Waterway. There are also many other cool displays in the visitor center including the history of the waterway from the Illinois and Michigan Canal to today's modern lock and dam structures. The visitor center is open 7 days a week with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Age & Disability Discount Passes

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Services Status
Please see the list below for USACE managed areas. Other parks run by state or private marinas are not included in the list below. Please contact the state or private marina for additional information.

Open    Partially Open    Closed    Status Unknown

7 Recreation areas at Illinois Waterway

	Area Status
Brandon Road Public Access Area
Dresden Island Lock and Dam Public Access Area
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center Public Access Area								A
Lockport Lock Public Access Area
Marseilles Lock Public Access Area								A GS
T.J. O'Brien Public Access Area				X
Corps Managed Managed by Others in Italics $ Corps Fees Collected