Explore
Chouteau Island
Madison, IL | 5,500 acres
Type: Natural Area and State Park
Owned by: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, US Army Corps of Engineers, City of Madison. We own 22 acres on the Island, as well. Learn more here »
Our role: Given the ecological importance of the Chouteau, Gabaret, and Mosenthein Island Complex, HeartLands Conservancy worked with numerous partners in the early 2000s to develop a Master Plan for the islands. After completing the plan, HeartLands Conservancy assisted with acquiring Gabaret and Mosenthein Islands. Then, with funding provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, HeartLands Conservancy was able to acquire an additional 94 acres on Chouteau Island, which was transferred to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Hours: Open Sunrise to Sunset unless otherwise posted
Location & Directions
One mile west of Granite City in Madison County. The state property is located in three parcels west of the Chain of Rocks canal and adjoining the Mississippi River. Federal property is located on both sides of the Chain of Rocks Canal with additional parcels extending north to the Lewis and Clark Park and south of Interstate 270.
Trail & Facilities
Chouteau, Gabaret, and Mosenthein Islands include nature trails and a fishing area. The Old Chain of Rocks pedestrian bridge is one of the world’s longest bicycle and pedestrian bridges and spans the Mississippi River. The bridge connects the St. Louis Riverfront Trail in Missouri and the MCT Confluence Trail in Illinois. Nature Trails are accessed around the pedestrian bridge and through the wooded, marshy areas. The trails are primarily mulch.
The Eagle Points Trail is a 5-mile gravel trail along the western levee that provides views of the Chain of Rocks Canal. It’s a great spot for birdwatching and bicycling on the island.
Wildlife & Habitat
Chouteau, Gabaret, and Mosenthein Islands are uniquely situated in the Mississippi River just minutes north of downtown St. Louis. These islands are collectively known as “Chouteau Island.” The 10-mile length of Mississippi River that borders Chouteau Island to the west is the only natural stretch of river without barge traffic between St. Paul and New Orleans. This section of river is a very high-quality habitat, but also at high-risk. Chouteau Island is one of the few locations in the St. Louis Region with direct public access to the Mississippi River for recreation.
Habitat here consists of forested wetlands, forest, and wet prairies.
Plants of interest include cottonwoods, wild bergamot, buttonbush, maples, and willows.
Depending on the season, you may be able to see a variety of birds and other wildlife.
Migratory and water birds, such as Bald Eagles, Great Egrets, Little Blue Herons, and Mississippi Kites are prominent on the Island. A White-Tailed Kite (very rare!) was spotted nearby in 2021.
White-tailed deer, river otters, minks, and varieties of fish are found here as well.
Regulations
The natural areas of the Islands are primarily managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Horseshoe Lake Office and the US Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project Office. See contact information below for each.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
3321 Highway 111, Granite City, IL 62040
(618) 931-0270
US Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office
301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386
(636) 899-2600
Overview
Chouteau, Gabaret, and Mosenthein Islands (aka Chouteau Island)
A series of three islands – Chouteau, Gabaret, and Mosenthein – is uniquely situated in the Mississippi River just minutes north of downtown St. Louis. These islands are collectively known as Chouteau Island. The 10-mile length of Mississippi River that borders Chouteau Island to the west is the only natural stretch of river without barge traffic between St. Paul and New Orleans. This section of river is a very high-quality habitat, but also at high risk. Chouteau Island is one of the few locations in the St. Louis Region with direct public access to the Mississippi River for recreation.
Combined, all these islands provide wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and store river and rainwater on over 5,500 acres. The islands protect forests and marshes, providing important resting habitat for migratory birds, waterbirds, and a variety of other wildlife.
Once prominent along the Mississippi River, Mississippi Kites had virtually disappeared in Illinois by the late 1920s. The widespread clearcutting of forests destroyed their habitats, causing their decline. Protected and restored forests are helping to restore the habitat they need to thrive. The recent return of Mississippi Kites, and the rarer White-Tailed Kite, to the Chouteau Island is a hopeful sign that when we care for the land and water, nature responds.
By conserving this rare and ecologically rich landscape, we’re not only protecting habitat—we’re ensuring that future generations can connect with the Mississippi River and the wildlife it sustains.
If you would like to find out more about how to create a new public conservation area and conserve wildlife habitat, feel free to call Anna McAtee at (618) 566-4451 ex 23 or email her at anna.mcatee@heartlandsconservancy.org.
You may find information on our Land Conservation page and Ways to Give page helpful, too.