Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area
Also known as Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area, Des Plaines SFWA
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.illinois.gov(815) 423-5326
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 4,531-acre recreation area in Will County, about 4 miles northwest of Wilmington.
Fees and passes
Free: 'The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) does not charge an Entrance Fee to any state owned or operated land.' Camping, cabins and shelters are fee-based.
Statewide fee rule from Illinois's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ExploreMoreIL (IDNR camping, cabins, group camps and shelters)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Dog Training Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area is well known for numerous field trials and dog training events held throughout the year. Whether you are training your animal or just being a spectator, these events can be a great way to spend a day or weekend outdoors. • West Grounds Dog Training and Field Trials • East Grounds Dog Training for Individuals
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
The campground is currently closed.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Trails
Equestrian Trail
A 12-mile trail is open from mid-April thru October (weather permitting) from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Boating and paddling
Boating
A public boat launch with three paved ramps is available on the Kankakee River for boating on the river or its backwaters. Motors are limited to 10 horsepower or less on the backwaters, but no limits exist on the Kankakee River. No boating is allowed on Milliken Lake. Boat ramps are closed seasonally from the end of October for pheasant hunting season thru mid-April (weather depending).
Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is popular at Des Plaines SFWA. Several ponds and the river backwaters provide panfish, catfish, and bass fishing. The Kankakee River borders the site on the south with 3 miles of shoreline providing access to boating enthusiasts and excellent walleye and northern pike fishing.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Park or camp store
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessibility at Des Plaines:
•
Parking - The park office and the boat ramp parking lots are asphalt with accessible parking spaces. There is approximately 20' to the concrete sidewalk at the office. The park office has a wooden wheelchair ramp. PThe parkoffice door has an ADA accessible handle.
•
Restrooms - Accessible vault toilets are available at the boat launch, picnic area, park office, Milliken Lake, and west parking lot of the East Grounds.
•
Boating - There is an accessible boat dock with a wooden deck and an aluminum ramp. There is an approximate 120' distance from the parking lot to the boat dock using the concrete sidewalk.
•
Fishing - The fishing pier at Milliken Lake is concrete with an approximate distance of 120 feet using the sidewalk to the parking area.
•
Picnicking - The picnic area by the Kankakee River has an accessible concrete pad, picnic table and grill
•
Archery/Trap Range - The archery and trap ranges have designated accessible parking spaces.
•
Hunting - The park offers disabled pheasant hunting by permit only. You must have a standing vehicle permit to register.
•
Service animals are welcome in the park, but there are no outdoor water fountains.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
Range Rules and Regulations
- Trap shooting with a shotgun only in designated area.
- Lead shot size #6 or steel shot size #4 or smaller.
- Clay pigeons thrown from a hand thrower or spring-operated foot trap. No battery-operated throwers.
- NO target practice. NO rifles. NO handguns.
- Open sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted. Closed during pheasant season.
- Dispose of all litter including spent shells in garbage barrels.
- Alcohol prohibited.
PRACTICE GUN SAFETY AT ALL TIMES! Violators may be fined or banned from the range.
Printable Hand Trap Rules and Regulations
Getting there
- Address
- 28163 N. River Rd.
Wilmington, IL 60481 - Nearest town
- Wilmington — about 4 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.3720, -88.2070
- Phone
- (815) 423-5326
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Illinois State Parks (IDNR state parks and recreation areas) — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- IDNR All Parks list (AEM content-fragment list JSON) + each unit's landing page for official title, coordinates, address, phone
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology