Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in Mason County spanning about 4,388 acres of wetlands, pools, and bottomland forests along the Illinois River. This mosaic of different habitats provides food and shelter for numerous bird species, fish, and mammals throughout the seasons.

The land was acquired by the federal government in 1936 from a private drainage and levee district and converted into a wildlife refuge with flood control functions. This transformation saved the wetlands that had been scheduled for drainage.

The land was traditional territory of the Illinois people, now known as the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. Visitors can feel this historical connection as they explore the landscape that served as home to these communities for generations.

Visitors can watch wildlife from viewing platforms and explore on foot using marked trails throughout the refuge. Early morning visits offer the best chances for spotting birds and other animals in their natural routines.

The refuge features a 100-foot observation tower, one of the few structures of its kind remaining in the region. From the top, visitors gain a sweeping view across the wetland complexes and can track migrating birds passing overhead.