Crab Orchard Wilderness
Crab Orchard Wilderness is a 4,050-acre wilderness area in Williamson County, Illinois. It rises from about 498 to 738 ft. The nearest town is Makanda, 4.5 miles away in a straight line.
Crab Orchard Wilderness map
Crab Orchard 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
- Makanda, IL is the nearest town, 4.5 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Crab Orchard Wilderness is about 738 ft, and its lowest about 498 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Crab Orchard Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish and Wildlife Service | 4,050 | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | Visitor Services, Crab Orchard NWR, 618-997-8961 |
Getting to Crab Orchard Wilderness
- Makanda, IL is the nearest town, 4.5 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Crab Orchard Wilderness
- Panther Den (0.83 mi outside the boundary, 699 ft), at 37.5799, -89.0882
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Public lands next to Crab Orchard Wilderness
- National wildlife refugeCrab Orchard Wilderness lies inside Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.
- State parkCrab Orchard Wilderness borders Giant City State Park.
- Wilderness areaCrab Orchard Wilderness borders Panther Den Wilderness.
- National forestCrab Orchard Wilderness borders Shawnee National Forest.
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.