The IDNR maintains a number of wildlife management areas in Madison, Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois that include primitive boat ramps. These ramps are dirt or gravel roads that lead to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers as well as back water lakes and sloughs. Many of these areas have "rustic" restrooms.
Piasa Creek Access Area
Located along the Great River Road north of Alton.
This access area was completely refurbished in 1992 and offers the only free public boat access to the Mississippi River between Alton and Grafton.
Stump Lake Boat Ramp
Located in the Stump Lake Wildlife Management Area north of Pere Marquette State Park.
Dabbs Road Access Area
Located 1 1/2 miles north of Pere Marquette off of Highway 100.
Lower Stump Cartop Access
Located in the Stump Lake Wildlife Management Area north of Pere Marquette State Park.
The Glades Boat Ramp
Located approximately 4 1/2 miles north of Pere Marquette and approximately 1 mile off of Highway 100.
Access to The Glades proper and the Illinois River.
Michael's Landing Access Area
Located approximately 5 1/2 miles north of the Joe Page Bridge in Hardin off of Highway 100.
Access to the Illinois River.
Godar-Diamond Boat Ramp
Located 2 1/2 miles north of the Hardin Bridge directly off of Highway 100.
Access to the Illinois River and Michael Bottoms. Hurricane and Diamond islands are accessible by pullovers.
Hadley Landing
Located on the road to Fuller Lake.
Access to the Illinois River.
Fuller Lake
Located north of Brussels on County Road 1.
Access to Fuller and Upper Swan Lakes and Beaver Pond.
Calhoun Point
Located in Calhoun County west of the Brussels Ferry off of County Road 1.
Access to back water lakes and sloughs.
Pohlman Slough
Located in Calhoun County west of the Brussels Ferry off of County Road 1.
Access to back water lakes and sloughs.
Royal Landing
Located in Calhoun County west of the Brussels Ferry off of County Road 1.
Access to the Mississippi River.
Cockrel Hollow
Located south of Batchtown.
Large backwater bay, side channels and sloughs are accessible from the main channel of the Mississippi River.
Red's Landing
Located about 4 miles south of the town of Hamburg on West County Road.
Access to the Mississippi River and the middle slough.
Riprap Landing
Located about 2 miles north of Mozier on Route 96.
Access to the Mississippi River.