Western Illinois

We headed for Oquawka State Wildlife Refuge to search for Bald Eagles. We stumbled across Mississippi River lock 18 and hit the jackpot.

1-14-18

Mississippi River Lock 18

Gladstone, IL

We were driving to Oquawka State Wildlife Refuge and missed the turn. We drove in to Gladstone, IL and found a sign for Mississippi River access. We headed west and started to see a few bald eagles flying around and perched in trees. While we were driving we saw a sign for lock and dam 18. We drove down the road to the lock and dam and started seeing tons of bald eagles. The lock and dam was closed to vehicle and foot traffic because of construction. We parked outside of lock and dam 18 and walked a path south down the river. There were over 50 bald eagles in the trees and flying around. You can get very close and it is a good spot for pictures.

When we made it to the river we could look back north at lock and dam 18. There were tons of bald eagles on the ice and flying around the lock and dam. We could hear the eagles calling and saw a bunch of juvenile as well as adult bald eagles.

Delabar State Park

RR #2, Box 27

Oquawka, IL 61469

We entered the park by taking 3rd St. north from Oquawka to the entrance to the park. The campground and boat ramp were closed for the season. They had a sign on a small cabin telling people the electricity and water were going to be shut off for the season. Some of the campsites looked close together. We drove around the park and found a short (.6) mile trail. We walked the trail that went from the north side of the campground through the woods south to the campground. The trail was well groomed.

Big River State Forest

1337 Township Road 2850 N

Keithsburg, IL

Big River State Forest had two nice scenic auto trails. Both were a couple miles long and drove through the forest. They had an equestrian trail and a walking trail as well.

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge (Keithsburg Division)

Mercer County Illinois north of Keithsburg

This section of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge has two different spots. The area is mainly for waterfowl migration which was not happening while we were there. The first entrance outside of Keithsburg is a small parking lot and a boat ramp. We walked down the boat ramp and saw what we think was a bald eagle nest on the other side of the water. We didn't see any bald eagles though.

The second area we found had a road leading to a backwater area. Once we made it to a small parking lot the road was closed any further.