Outdoors & Recreation State Parks, Preserves, & Forests

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

Thomson, IL - Carroll County
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Address:

  • 7071 Riverview Road
  • Thomson, IL,
Get Directions
  • Biking
  • Boat Ramp/Launch
  • Fishing
  • Hiking

Hours:

  • Monday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. May-September

Amenities:

  • Family Friendly
  • Open to the public

Details

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has been a haven for fish, wildlife, and people since 1924. The refuge stretches 261 river miles from Wabasha, Minnesota, to Rock Island, Illinois, protecting over 240,000 acres of the Mississippi River floodplain. The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreation. Your next adventure awaits! 

The Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge is the “Friends Group” for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Savanna District, located in Thomson, IL. From May to September, the Golf Cart Wildlife and Birding Tours take visitors on their own up-close adventure.

Golf Cart Tours

Travel silently through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and experience the beauty only the refuge can bring. Participants can view various species of migratory birds, native plants, dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies. Be sure to bring your camera and binoculars. Binoculars are available to borrow.

Enjoy fishing, canoeing, hiking, biking, boat launches, and the wildlife and bird observation area. Don’t miss the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center, open year-round: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday (May through September), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on federal holidays.

TRAVEL GUIDE

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PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ideas and resources to help plan your next real getaway in NW Illinois.