Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wetland area in southern Illinois featuring cypress and tupelo swamps. The landscape consists of shallow water channels, dense forest canopy, and marshland that creates a distinctive southern ecosystem in a region more typically associated with prairies.

Congress established this refuge in 1990 as part of wetland protection efforts mandated by federal legislation. The creation responded to growing recognition that these swamp ecosystems needed legal protection from development and drainage.

The wetlands in the refuge received international recognition through designation as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance.

Wear waterproof boots and insect repellent when visiting, as wet conditions and biting insects are common throughout the year. Plan your visit during cooler months if you prefer fewer mosquitoes, or bring protection regardless of when you go.

The cypress-tupelo swamps here are more characteristic of southern states than the Midwest, making this an ecological outlier. This ecosystem type is rare so far north and creates a surprising pocket of southern flora and fauna in Illinois.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1990

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/cypress_creek

GPS coordinates: 37.36500,-89.01750

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:56