Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area RV & Campground Guide
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Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area is a vast state park in Illinois that encompasses 10 miles of shoreline of the Illinois River. This park was initially purchased by the state in 1925, and it has grown dramatically over the years to make up 6,000 acres of land and water. The wildlife area is divided today into three units: the Marshall Unit, where the area’s campground and headquarters are; the Spring Beach Unit; and the Sparland Unit.
The terrain of this wildlife area features ravines, bluffs, islands, sloughs, forests, and bottomland lakes. The area is located just 24 miles north of Peoria, and other points of interest near the area include the Marshall County State Conservation Areas and Aitchison Waterfowl Refuge, part of which is included in the Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Nearby Cities
Hopewell, IL
North Hampton, IL
Chillicothe, IL
Wilbern, IL
Spring 40–63 F
Summer 63-86 F
Fall 32–50 F
Winter 15–31 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
Campground Accommodations
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: 7 sites
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 42 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, ADA-accessible vault toilets
Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area
Go squirrel hunting, fish and launch your boat at Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, which is located on the east side of the Illinois River near Low Point, Illinois. Rates start at about $18 per night.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station, water, outhouses
MillPoint RV Park
MillPoint RV Park features its own fishing pond, and it is adjacent to Spring Bay Fen Nature Preserve. Rates start at about $18 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Fishing pond
What to Do at
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
Hunting is a popular activity at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, and hunters may use the area’s hunting blinds when they are chosen to do so through a daily lottery. Duck hunters can also sign up for access to their own hunting pond where they may bring and assemble their own blinds. During the winter, visitors may also enjoy ice fishing with a fishing permit throughout the wildlife area. Other winter activities include snowshoe hiking on the trails, cross-country skiing, and backpacking after the waterfowl hunting season ends.
Some of the most popular pastimes at this state park include water activities, such as paddleboarding, bird-watching, and picnicking. The day-use area in the Spring Beach Unit provides picnic tables, shelters, and outdoor stoves for visitors to use when they want to enjoy a picnic or stop for birdwatching. There is an additional day-use and picnic site near the campground, and the shelters at either picnic area can be reserved online.
Inside Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
Launch your boat at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area to go fishing in the three areas or the nearby Illinois River. You will love hiking along the trails through various ecosystems to see birds as this area is on the mainland flyway, and lots of Canadian geese visit in the fall. A variety of woodpeckers and songbirds can be spotted throughout the year. Squirrel hunting is a popular sport at this park.
Fishing
The Illinois River runs through Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, and lots of anglers like to come to the area to fish for bluegill, crappie, bullhead, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. There is also a half-mile, artificially made channel in the area that is designed for easy fishing access. Fishing is most popular in the Marshall Unit, near the boat launch area, and in the Spring Beach Unit.
Nature Watching
Outside of the hunting seasons, visitors can enjoy watching wildlife at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, including species like white-tailed deer. You may be able to spot forest animals including rabbits, squirrels, owls, and hawks. Songbirds also inhabit the area. Look for northern cardinals, American robins, gray catbirds, black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, house finches, and dark-eyed juncos.
Hiking
The park has one multi-use trail, and it extends for 3.5 miles. This trail is located in the Marshall Unit, and it is open for hiking as well as skiing, plus it provides easy access to hunting areas.
Boating
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area provides a free-to-use boat ramp with no boating limits to all visitors, and you can find this in the Marshall Unit. Boaters should be aware, though, that low water seasons make boating nearly impossible since the water levels may be too shallow.
How to Get to
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
You can access Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area from the north or south via IL-26. To reach the area from Peoria, take NE Adams Street to US-150 East. From there, merge onto US-24, then merge onto IL-116 East. Continue 1.5 miles, then turn left onto IL-26 North. Continue 18 miles, then turn left, directly into the entrance of the wildlife area.
Entering Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
There is no fee to enter the Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, and there are day-use parking areas located near the headquarters in the Marshall Unit.
If you have visited Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, then tell your friends about your experiences on your social media accounts. You may have a great story about encountering a deer closeup or having tripped over your own feet while hiking there. You may also have a unique story about the big fish you caught or the one that got away. Tag RVshare.com in your comments. Consider including which section of the park you think is best for different activities. Alternatively, send an email with your memories and photos to [email protected]. We want to know what you think about this park.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
This wildlife area is open for year-round activities. Visitors should plan to come during the winter for cross-country skiing and ice fishing. Popular activities during the spring, summer, and fall include fishing, hunting, boating, and hiking. Camping is also available at this state park year-round.
Wildlife that can be found in the Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area includes white-tailed deer, rabbits, owls, hawks, red squirrels, gray squirrels, and flying squirrels. Songbirds are also known to inhabit the area, particularly during migration seasons.
There are seven campsites that are accessible for most RVs up to 42 feet long at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, and these sites provide 30-amp electrical hookups. Backcountry camping is permitted but is not accessible to RVs.
Reservations are required to stay at the RV and tent campsites at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, and you can make them online. The cost per night to stay at this state park is $18.
Pets are allowed at this state park and its campground so long as they are always kept on a leash of no more than 6 feet in length. Pets may not be left unattended, and pet owners are required to clean up after their animals.
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