Iroquois County State Wildlife Area

Pembroke Township, IL

4.4(57 reviews)

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About this campground

Iroquois County State Wildlife Area is situated in a low glacial outwash plain associated with the Kankakee River Valley that consists of marshland, sand ridges and dunes. The initial acquisition of land occurred in 1944 for the purpose of protecting Illinois' declining prairie chicken population. Prairie chickens did not survive and public hunting became the major use. The state purchased an additional 560 acres in 1984. Known as the Hooper Branch Savanna, 480 acres of this parcel is considered the largest single tract of rare native savanna remaining in Illinois. The total acreage at Iroquois County is now 2,480.

What campers say

Iroquois County State Wildlife Area offers extensive public land with varied habitat—sand-dune remnants and fern-filled forests—that supports abundant wildlife and regular pheasant stocking. It’s popular with hunters; seasonal hunting programs typically require advance registration and sometimes online payment. Casual visitors will find a few paved trails and picnic spots, but most paths are grassy and lightly maintained; bring insect repellent and tuck your pants as ticks and mosquitoes are commonly reported. Basic amenities such as pit toilets can be inconsistently maintained. Overall it’s a productive, natural area with a clear tradeoff between wildlife value and limited facilities.

Our summary of 57 traveler reviews.