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Illinois State Parks

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Banner Marsh State Fish Wildlife Area
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BANNER MARSH STATE FISH WILDLIFE AREA
BANNER MARSH STATE FISH WILDLIFE AREA
19721 N. US 24
Canton, Illinois   61520

Phone: 309-647-9184
Email: park email button icon
Banner Marsh State Fish & Wildlife Area is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Peoria on U.S. Route 24 and is protected from the Illinois River by a major levee.Teeming with fish and wildlife, Banner Marsh provides various outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, boating, dog training, picnicking, wildlife observation and photography.There are three public access areas leading into Banner Marsh, all of which have parking lots, boat ramps, restrooms and picnic areas.The only type of camping allowed at Banner Marsh is youth group camping. However, nearby Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area has camping facilities available.
History of the Area
Prior to the Department of Natural Resources purchasing tracts of land bordering the Illinois River in Fulton and Peoria counties during the 1980s, the area underwent several land use changes, including farming and surface coal mining.

Today, the area known as Banner Marsh State Fish & Wildlife Area serves as a 4,363-acre freshwater marsh. The site?s 200-plus water bodies, in conjunction with its vast acres of land, provide excellent habitat for migrating and local waterfowl, numerous species of gamefish and other wildlife, while providing opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts.
Camping
Youth Group Camping

There are no camping facilities at Banner Marsh. However, walk-in or boat-in camping is available to youth groups. Arrangements must be made at the Rice Lake office in advance.
Boating
The site?s three public boat ramps, located in different areas of Banner Marsh, offer visitors easy access as well as scenic views of the area. Row boats, canoes and small motor boats are all popular watercraft at Banner Marsh.

Jet skis, water skiing, swimming and operation of boat motors in excess of 25 horsepower are all prohibited at the area.



Picnicking
For a break from fishing or just a day in the outdoors, visitors can enjoy picnicking at any of the three public access areas. Each of these picnic areas offers shaded picnic tables, immediate access to fishable waters, boat ramps and restrooms. There is no potable water at the site.

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Area Campgrounds
Fulton County Camping & Rec Area
18773 North Conservation Road
Canton, IL
309-668-2931
Evening Star Camping Resort
23049 US Highway 136
Topeka, IL
309-562-7590
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
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Hotels/Motels
Relax in the rustic beauty and comfort of Starved Rock Lodge, Cabins and Starved Rock Inn. The historic Lodge has 69 guest rooms, which include three bay-window rooms, plus cabins nestled in the woods. Fireplaces can be found in four of the eight sunset cabins near the pool area...
76.1 miles from park*
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Cottages and Cabins
Within a 10 minute drive from Starved Rock and even closer to Matthiessen State Parks you will find a gorgeous, tranquil property with spacious cabins on 50 wooded acres. All with full kitchens and outdoor fire pits. 3 dog friendly.
68.6 miles from park*
Nearby Hotels
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Pets
Banner Marsh is also known as an excellent place for training hunting dogs and conducting field trials. Dog training requires a permit that can be obtained at Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, which is located southwest of Banner Marsh. There is no fee required for the permit.

Some field trials are conducted at Banner Marsh, but require a permit from the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Directions
Rice Lake/Banner Marsh State Fish & Wildlife Areas are both accessible by US Rte 24. Both sites are well signed with Banner Marsh providing four access points and Rice Lake one.

Traveling from the north, via I-55 to Bloomington-Normal, take I-74 west to 474 which will bypass Peoria to the south. Exit 474 onto US Rte 24 west, travel approximately 15 miles on US Rte 24 west to access Banner Marsh and approximately 20 miles to the entrance to Rice Lake.

Traveling from the south, you can access these sites by utilizing these same routes.

Traveling from the east or west, travelers may utilize US Rte 136 to state routes 78 & 97, one miles west of Havana. Travel north approximately five miles to US Rte 24, then approximately 12 miles to the Rice Lake entrance and 17 miles to the Banner Marsh entrance.

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Illinois
52

Illinois State Parks

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