U.S. Fish & Wildlife: Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge Review

This is a lesser known place among hiking enthusiasts, the wildlife and wetlands are simply amazing to see! The visitors center is also very well maintained and its a great place to visit!

A must visit place : ideal for Hiking , Cycling, canoeing; kayaking, Hunting , Fishing, scenic route Photography, Bird & wildlife photography. Near many vineyards

Beautiful. What a wonderful detour we found. Next time this will be planned along our route.

It sucks not maintained well and not enough food put out for the wild life Bellerose should have a lot of food for the Ducks and waterfowl and it has nothing no ducks come to that area anymore for the way it is maintained the fields are grown-up not never mowed bunch of young trees good for nothing years ago it stayed mode trees were small rabbits and quail we're everywhere now just deer and turkeys

This was a place I found, watched the YouTube video and knew its be a great
adventure. The place you take off from is very byou, no frills, nothing slick. But the owner is very genuine, intelligent and a great guide. It amazes me that we have a Cyprus wetland/bayou in Illinois. Highly recommend it.

Unbelievable prehistoric sight under roof. Very interesting and great tour.

Small pockets of nature protected in this way are important. I hope that they will continue to be protected and perhaps even extended one day.

This is one of the most beautiful places by in Southern Illinois. Take a kayak or canoe out through the lower access. Watch for the silver carp. They'll jump at you. Eagles pond is my personal favorite area.

Beautiful wildlife experience, so many things to see and learn

Great place to unwind and get in touch with nature.

Love it out here.
So quite.

Would be wonderful if they would plant some food for the waterfowl and run the pumps through the cold winter to keep some water open for them, but they won't.

The observation platform at the Bellrose Waterfowl Refugee on the Cypress Creek NWR is a good place to observe ducks and geese. You will at least need binoculars and a spotting scope is recommended. Go near sunset to see the birds coming in. 1/26/2017: a variety of plants for pollinators have now been planted around the parking lot and platform. (Note small flags in photo.)

Great place to visit. Learned about the earth and southern, IL and the native animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Awesome exhibits.

Very beautiful. Take water, bug spray and a camera.

Beautiful gem to be found in southern Illinois. The lower portion of Illinois never ceases to impress with its vast changes in environment. The swampy area with it's old cypress trees is beautiful, full of wonderful wildlife and great time in nature.

I looked on google maps satellite and noticed that the amount "restored" and preserved natural land was greater than what was highlighted in green in normal map mode.

This is a serious problem that I have recognized long before now, and that is how big or small any national park, wildlife refuge, conservation area, greenspace or protected natural area should be.

If you ask me, there should be a set limit on both how much land a park like this can have, and how much can be bought from it for other uses, like farming. Sadly, I've had yet to find anyone else that sees the same problem I do.

On the other had, I bet the plants and wildlife here look pretty interesting.

Lots of fun and educational activities in the area. Make sure to go to the Wetlands Center.

Lived our kayak through the swamp. Definitely unique

Love it out here.
So quite.

can trade it didn't go there my to pass by it but we didn't go there

A must visit place : ideal for Hiking , Cycling, canoeing; kayaking, Hunting , Fishing, scenic route Photography, Bird & wildlife photography. Near many vineyards