2024 Map of Wolf Lake

About this map

The Big Muddy River winds through this 2024 survey of the Illinois-Missouri borderlands, where the floodplain of the Mississippi River meets the rising elevations of the Shawnee National Forest. The geography is defined by a series of prominent river islands, including Grand Tower Island, Big Muddy Island, and Halfmoon Island, alongside complex drainage systems like Running Lake Ditch. Small settlements such as Aldridge, La Rue, and the community of Wolf Lake are situated along the base of the bluffs, which rise sharply into protected landscapes. This area is noted for its significant conservation tracts, including the Clear Springs Wilderness and Bald Knob Wilderness. Local landmarks like Government Rock, Preachers Eye, and McGee Hill offer insights into the named topography of the region, while the network of forest trails such as Lead Mine Trl and White Pine Trl trace paths through the interior heights.