State of Illinois
08/31/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/31/2026 10:01
September Newsbits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for September. State parks, historic sites, and museums have events throughout the month and the fall is a great time to explore the outdoors.
Sept. 1
Public duck and goose hunting area permit second lottery opens
Statewide
The public duck and goose hunting permit lottery is open statewide Sept. 1-15. Go online for an application.
Sept. 1
Bobcat permit lottery opens
Statewide
The bobcat permit lottery opens statewide beginning Sept. 1 and ends Sept. 30. Learn more on the Hunt Illinois website.
Sept. 1
12 Mile Red Cedar Hiking Trail Challenge
Giant City State Park
Makanda | Jackson County
Hike the rugged backpacking trail at Giant City State Park and take selfies at 10 locations along the route. Bring your pictures to the visitor center to receive an official Red Cedar patch. Follow Giant City State Park on Facebook.
Sept. 3
Tot Time: Art for All
Illinois State Museum at Dickson Mounds
Lewistown | Fulton County
Learn about how creating and viewing art can help us express our emotions and build connection with other people. Tots and caretakers can enjoy hands-on activities and crafts to take home. Learn more at illinoisstatemuseum.org .
Sept. 5
Early waterfowl hunting season opens
Statewide
The select species early waterfowl hunting season opens Sept. 5. View specific dates, locations and regulations on the Illinois waterfowl hunting website.
Sept. 5
Tours: Of Glass and Wood and Attention to Detail
Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site
Springfield | Sangamon County
The Attention to Detail tour is a special in-depth tour of the Dana-Thomas House. The tour, which is twice as long as a general tour, includes access to rooms not seen on other tours. There is also an Of Glass and Wood tour that highlights the home's furniture and art glass. Visitors will get a detailed look at the house from an architectural perspective, including some colorful stories about the Dana House. Visit the State Historic Sites of Springfield on Facebook for additional information.
Sept. 5
Cruise-in
David Davis Mansion State Historic S ite
Bloomington | McLean County
See various makes and models of vehicles from antique to modern at the David Davis Mansion annual Cruise-In, co-sponsored by the David Davis Mansion Foundation and the Mid-State Cruisers. Learn more online .
Sept. 5
Reptile campground program
Giant City State Park
Makanda | Jackson County
Join a forester for a discussion of the often-misunderstood creatures known as reptiles. This program will take place in a controlled and self-paced environment with a variety of live species. Follow Giant City State Park on Facebook.
Sept. 5
Labor Day Picnic and Vintage Base Ball
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
Charleston | Coles County
Come watch or participate in a game of vintage base ball. Bring lunch and enjoy a picnic at the Lincoln and Sargent Farms. Follow Lincoln Log Cabin on Facebook for additional details.
Sept. 5-6
Live music Saturdays
Kickapoo State Recreation Area
Oakwood | Vermilion County
Enjoy live music at the bar and grill at Kickapoo State Recreation Area. The final shows of the season begin at 5 p.m. each night. Learn more at Kickapoo Adventures online.
Sept. 7
Honoring the Hands that Built Our Parks Holiday Hike
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby | LaSalle County
Join a park naturalist to celebrate Labor Day and and learn about those who built trails, buildings and structures at the park through the years. For additional information, email [email protected] .
Sept. 11-12
Traditional Music Festival and Bluegrass Concerts
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
Petersburg | Menard County
Listen to traditional music in the historic village and enjoy evening bluegrass concerts in the amphitheater. Learn more on Facebook .
Sept. 12
Kayaking at Argyle Lake
Argyle Lake State Park
Colchester | McDonough County
Enjoy a day of paddling and viewing nature. Kayaks, paddles and life jackets will be provided. Space is limited. Register by calling 309-776-3422.
Sept. 12
Monarch Butterfly Festival
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Springfield | Sangamon County
Join the Illinois State Museum, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Monarch Project, and community partners to celebrate Illinois' state insect, the monarch butterfly. Enjoy games, activities and giveaways at this free community event. Visit the Illinois State Museum website for additional information.
Sept. 12
Building for Wildlife: Butterfly Houses
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Springfield | Sangamon County
Join Springfield state historic sites and Henson Robinson Zoo for a series of workshops on building houses for native wildlife. Learn more about this event on the State Historic Sites of Springfield Facebook page and sign up for this and other activities through Eventbrite .
Sept. 12
Historical Insight: Matthiessen, Hegeler, and Carus Connection
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby | LaSalle County
The Matthiessen, Hegeler, and Carus Connection highlights the powerhouse that shaped LaSalle County's economic and cultural landscape, focusing on the partnership among Frederick Matthiessen, Edward C. Hegeler and the M&H Zinc Co. For additional information email [email protected].
Sept. 12
Bats of the Cache River Wetlands
Cache River State Natural Area
Cypress | Johnson County
Researchers and educators will share insights into bat ecology, cave systems and ongoing research connected to Blanchard Springs Caverns. Learn more on the Cache River Facebook.
Sept. 12
Wingshooting Clinic
Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area
Kewanee | Henry County
These clinics are designed to enhance hunters' wingshooting skills. Target presentations resemble actual field hunting situations that mimic the flight characteristics of pheasants, quail, rabbits, dove, ducks and other game species. Learn about this and other clinics on the IDNR wingshooting website .
Sept. 13
60th Anniversary Celebration
Beall Woods State Park
Mount Carmel | Wabash County
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Beall Woods State Park with art, food, family-friendly activities and a guided hike. Follow Beall Woods State Park on Facebook for additional information.
Sept. 16
Public duck and goose hunting area permit third lottery opens
Statewide
The third public duck and goose hunting area lottery is open statewide Sept. 16-28. Go online for an application .
Sept. 16
Three Hots and a Cot program
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby | LaSalle County
Learn about the Civilian Conservation Corps, the camps that were located at Starved Rock State Park, and park projects from the 1930s. For additional information email [email protected] .
Sept. 18-20
Southern State Pack Trials
Walnut Point State Park
Oakland | Coles County
The public is invited to watch the llamas go through their trials to receive their Pack Trial Llama Association certifications. Follow Walnut Point State Park on Facebook.
Sept. 20
Fall Equinox
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Collinsville | Madison County
Visit Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site for a 30-minute archaeologist-led discussion focusing on the discovery, construction and significance of this pre-Columbian structure. Meet at the center pole of the Woodhenge reconstruction by 6:30 a.m. Visit CahokiaMounds.org for more information.
Sept. 21
Fall turkey shotgun permits available over the counter
Statewide
Illinois resident and non-resident hunters can purchase fall turkey shotgun permits from a licensed vendor on a first-come, first-served basis starting Sept. 21 until quotas have been met for a particular county or until the close of the season on Nov. 1. Learn more at huntillinois.org .
Sept. 26
Art in Nature
Argyle Lake State Park
Colchester | McDonough County
The Friends of Argyle Lake State Park will host Arts in Nature painting classes at the park visitor center shelter. The program fee is $20. Email [email protected] for more information.
Sept. 26
Forage for Art
Giant City State Park
Makanda | Jackson County
Join local nature photographer and artist Jen Wharton as she shares how you can forage for art on a guided hike. Bring your own camera or camera phone. Call 618-457-4836 to register or follow Giant City State Park on Facebook for more information.
Sept. 26
Wingshooting clinic
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Chandlerville | Cass County
These clinics are designed to enhance hunters' wingshooting skills. Target presentations resemble actual field hunting situations that mimic the flight characteristics of pheasants, quail, rabbits, dove, ducks and other game species. Learn about this and other clinics on the IDNR wingshooting website .
Sept. 26
Harvest Frolic
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
Charleston | Coles County
Celebrate the start of fall with crafts, food preservation, hearth cooking and artisan demonstrations. Follow Lincoln Log Cabin on Facebook for additional details.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook , YouTube and LinkedIn .
State of Illinois published this content on August 31, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 31, 2026 at 16:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]