Recreation area

Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Access

Illinois — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Float one of the most scenic creeks in southern Illinois. Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak access is located just minutes from Eddyville, IL and offers easy access for recreating on beautiful Lusk Creek. The site features a walk-down launch path, spaceous parking lot and information board with detailed map. Due to its ecological significance the Shawnee National Forest designated Lusk Creek a Zoological Area within the boundaries of Lusk Creek Wilderness. Lusk Creek Wilderness lies about 4 miles north of this Lusk Creek access point. Special restrictions apply within the Wilderness and Zoological Area, see the restrictions section below.

Getting there

From Harrisburg: Take Highway 145 south 20 miles to Eddyville Road. Turn left (southeast) onto Eddyville Road, go 3.1 miles to the entrance of Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak access. Turn right into Lusk Creek Access. From Vienna: Take Highway 146 east to Highway 147 (Simpson Blacktop Road), turn left (north) onto Hwy 147 for 20 miles to Eddyville, IL. At Eddyville turn right (southeast) onto Eddyville Road, go 3.1 miles to the entrance of Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak access. Turn right into Lusk Creek Access.

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Illinois camping

Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Access doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Illinois campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

Browse Illinois camping →

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.