Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
- Nature & parks
- In Lincoln, Illinois
- 0.4 mi from Route 66
Just south of Lincoln, IL, less than a mile off the old road, this 974-acre state fish and wildlife area gives drivers a green, quiet break from the highway. Salt Creek runs through it for about 2.5 miles. It first opened in 1971 under the name Railsplitter State Park and now carries the name of Edward R. Madigan, a congressman from Lincoln who later served as Secretary of Agriculture.
What it is
The state's Department of Natural Resources runs the area and manages it for fish and wildlife. Its shape is unusual: it wraps around a set of state prison facilities in a horseshoe, so the natural land forms a ring around the Logan Correctional Center complex. The main draw is Salt Creek, a major feeder of the Sangamon River, which flows through about 2.5 miles of the property. At 974 acres, it is big enough for a real walk rather than a quick look.
A bit of history
The land became Railsplitter State Park in 1971. In 1995 it was renamed for Edward R. Madigan, who represented Lincoln in the U.S. House and later served as Secretary of Agriculture. The new name honored a local figure who had gone on to national office.
Visiting tips
Restrooms are on site, and the area is wheelchair accessible and works for a family outing. Plan an hour or two if you want to walk along Salt Creek, or less for a quick stretch and a look at the water. Keep in mind that the correctional facilities sit inside the horseshoe; stay on the public parts of the area and follow posted signs. Shoes that can handle damp ground are a good idea near the creek.
From here, the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site is about 2.2 miles away and the Lincoln courthouse square about 2.6 miles, so the park fits easily into a half day in Lincoln.
Practical info
- Address
- 1366 1010 Ave, Lincoln, IL 62656
- Phone
- +1 217-732-1552
- Hours
- Daily 6 am–8:30 pm
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
On the map
Full mapEdward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.
Tap a dot to see that stop here.
Nearby stops
All of Illinois
2.2 mi from Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
2.6 mi from Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
2.8 mi from Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
2.9 mi from Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
4.1 mi from Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
9.3 mi from Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
Questions
Why is it named for Edward R. Madigan?
Madigan represented Lincoln in Congress and later ran the U.S. Department of Agriculture as its secretary. The park took his name in 1995.
What was it called before?
Its first name, from 1971, was Railsplitter State Park.
Own or run Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area? Send us a photo or a correction.