Henderson County Conservation Area is a popular retreat for camping and fishing. Located 20 miles southwest of Monmouth and five miles east on the Mississippi River, the 87-acre site includes Gladstone Lake, a 27-acre lake with 1.5 miles of shoreline.

The Conservation Area use to be Railroad property until the state purchased it in 1961. The area has class C campsites with tables and grills.  Animals are permitted but must remain on a leash. Group camping is permitted also; however, groups of 25 or more must have advance permission.

The lake contains Redear sunfish, Largemouth bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Catfish. Non-motorized boats only on the lake! In the winter if the ice is thick enough, ice fishing and skating is permitted.

The Henderson County Conservation Area also offers Hiking on the Lake View Trail and Picnicking at the sands Picnic Area. The Picnic area has a small shelter house, grills, and hand pumps for water. There is also a playground area for the younger visitors.

Delabar State Park is located 1½ Miles north of Oquawka near Illinois Route 164 on the Mississippi River.  The State Park has 89 acres of forest with oak, birch, and hickory trees. The wildlife at the park include rabbit, raccoon groundhog, squirrel, deer, quail, and more than fifty types of birds have been identified in the park.

In 1959 the parks land was donated to the State of Illinois by two brothers, Jack and Roy Delabar to be developed into a state park.  The park officially opened in 1960.

The Park offers three Picnic areas, a playground with drinking water and rest rooms. Also offered are hiking trails, Fishing.  In the winter the park offers ice fishing and ice skating when the ice is thick.

The Big River State Forest is located 6 miles north of Oquawka on the Oquawka-Keithsburg blacktop. the State Forest offers camping, boat launching, picnic areas, restrooms, and hiking trails.

There is a Ranger's office located in the forest with a fire tower.  There are firefighters and equipment standing by during peak fire seasons.

The State Forest also offers snowmobiling in the winter with thirty miles of marked trails and a warming center.

For more information
Big River State Forest RR1 Keithsburg, IL 61442	Phone: (309) 374-2496 Web: Illinois Department of Natural Resources http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/bigriver.htm
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Benton Island
Benton Island is located on the Mississippi River 1 mile north of Oquawka. The island has been used for camping, swimming, and a place for boaters to gather. It is just one of many islands that can be used by boaters for their summer outings.
Boat Harbors	Village of Oquawka has 5 boat docks to access the Mississippi River. One is at the foot of Schuyler St. (shallow john boats only. The other four are 1 and 1/2 blocks south of Schuyler St. There is no over night parking in the harbor between the hours of 1:00 am and 6:00 am of the same date. 1/4 miles south of the boat harbor, the Pier has a boat rental slips along with access to the river. There is a boat harbor at Putney's Landing, north of Oquawka, along with Big River State Forrest.
Oquawka Municipal Swimming Pool
	The Oquawka Pool is located on 6th Street, 5 blocks north of Schuyler Street. Admission to the pool is $2.00 for adults, $1.50 for grades 6-12, and $1.00 grades 1-5. Pre and under $.50. Family pool passes may be purchased for $100 and $50 for individuals. The pool is open from 12:00-6:00pm - 7 days a week. The pool season is from Memorial Day to mid-August, when school starts. The pool offers swimming lessons twice during the summer in the morning. On Sat. Aug. 2, 1975, the Oquawka Pool officially opened to the public. George Eckley was the first pool manager, along with Steve Lumbeck as assistant manager. Funds were raised locally, with additional help from grants.
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