Bay Creek Wilderness
Bay Creek Wilderness is a 2,760-acre wilderness area in Pope County, Illinois. It rises from about 519 to 796 ft. The nearest town is Eddyville, 2.4 miles away in a straight line.
Bay Creek Wilderness map
Bay Creek Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.
Common questions
- The maximum group size at Bay Creek Wilderness is 10.
- Eddyville, IL is the nearest town, 2.4 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Bay Creek Wilderness is about 796 ft, and its lowest about 519 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Bay Creek Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 2,760 | Not on record | 10 | Not on record | Hidden Springs Ranger District, 618-658-2111 |
Getting to Bay Creek Wilderness
- Eddyville, IL is the nearest town, 2.4 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Bay Creek Wilderness
- Burden Falls Access (inside the boundary, 566 ft), at 37.5633, -88.6425
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Public lands next to Bay Creek Wilderness
- National forestBay Creek Wilderness lies inside Shawnee National Forest.
- Wilderness areaBay Creek Wilderness borders Burden Falls Wilderness.
- Wilderness areaLusk Creek Wilderness is 2 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Illinois
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- apps.fs.usda.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.