Lake Murphysboro State Park

06/05/2026

Saturday, June 6th come join the Shawnee Muskie Hunters for the yearly kids event on Lake Murphysboro!

05/29/2026

We are so excited to be a part of the summer reading program at the Sallie Logan Library!! Bring the kiddos June 10th to learn a little about the park and listen to two books about camping and fishing!!

Sallie Logan Library is starting our Just Summer Reading program next Wednesday (June 3rd) at 10:30! Join us next week to read "This Is My Town" with Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens in Carl Lee Park (located in front of the library / Murphysboro Park District offices).

05/13/2026

This picture was taken by one of our wonderful volunteers, Therea Madel, over the weekend at the park. I love getting awesome pics like this!!

04/27/2026

With the threat of severe storms today, it seems a good time to share ways to stay informed while enjoying the park. This information is also posted at the campgrounds. As well as a qr code that can take you directly to the weather for this area. Please stay alert and have multiple ways to receive warnings and have a plan in the event you would need to take shelter.

04/24/2026

Did you know there is more that goes on at Lake Murphysboro than just camping, fishing, and hiking? There is also research going on around the park. Including bluebird monitoring and caterpillar counting and possibly future research involving Nightjars and moths.

Currently, Lake Murphysboro State Park has 13 Blue Bird Nest Boxes. This a part of a nationwide effort to increase Blue Bird populations that have seen a significant decline from 1920 to 1970. The North American Bluebird Society, formed in 1978, established and started monitoring Blue Bird Box Nests. Lake Murphysboro State Park started monitoring the boxes in 2025, recording 66 new Blue Birds.

For the past 2 years, a research program called Caterpillars Count has been completed at Lake Murphysboro State Park. This is part of a nationwide effort to track caterpillars and other insects that provide food for birds, especially during the period of time when birds are feeding their young. Over the past 2 years, a total of 501 insects have been recorded, with 99 of them being caterpillars.

Attached are pictures of one of the nest boxes with our lovely volunteer, an awesome closeup of one of the caterpillars, and a bluebird spotted around the park.

04/23/2026

Friendly reminder: For the safety of our guests and furry friends, all pets are to be kept on a leash at all times.

If you are camping with us and need a space for your pup to run, there is a dog park four miles away at Riverside Park, 2610 W Riverside Park Rd, Murphysboro, IL 62966.

04/08/2026

The 2026 Fishing Digests are here!