Crab Orchard Lake

Crab Orchard Lake is a large reservoir in Williamson County, Illinois, spanning many acres and surrounded by forests and open spaces where boats move across the water and families relax along the shore. The area includes hiking trails through wooded sections, two campgrounds for overnight stays, and boat ramps that provide access to the water for fishing, boating, and other water activities.

The lake was created in the 1930s when a dam was built across Crab Orchard Creek to control floods and provide a recreation area for the surrounding communities. In 1947, the surrounding land became part of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge to protect local wildlife and plants.

The lake sits at the heart of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and serves as a familiar retreat for nearby communities such as Carbondale and Marion, where residents have gathered for leisure across generations. The shoreline has become a natural gathering place where visitors connect with the landscape and find quiet moments away from daily routines.

Several boat ramps allow visitors to launch small boats, kayaks, and canoes, while well-maintained trails make the area easy to explore on foot or by bike. The warmer months offer the best conditions for water activities and camping, though the lake remains accessible year-round for fishing and nature walks.

Water in some areas contains contamination from lead and PCBs due to the region's past history of munitions factories and metal processing facilities that operated nearby. Despite this industrial legacy, government efforts continue to clean and manage the area to keep it safe for visitors and wildlife.