Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Southern Illinois, Illinois · 436 ft
Typical peak
Oct 20 – Oct 28
moderate confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Oak-hickory uplands meet bottomland hardwood around three lakes in southern Illinois. The open water offers room to photograph reflections of the canopy.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
moderate
Often busier by mid-morning; consider arriving at first light.
Getting there
Off Illinois 148 south of Marion, with the visitor center on Route 148. Refuge roads reach Crab Orchard, Little Grassy and Devils Kitchen lakes; a day-use pass is required in some areas.
What turns here
- oak
- hickory
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 24Typical color progression for Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. No change from Sep 16 to Oct 3. First color from Oct 3 to Oct 12. Approaching peak from Oct 12 to Oct 20. Peak from Oct 20 to Oct 28. Past peak from Oct 28 to Nov 7. Bare from Nov 7 to Nov 21.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is typically at past peak on Nov 1, 2026.
This season so far
First frost
None yet
No night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
73°F / 49°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge on October 24, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:46 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ESE · 104° | 7:13 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 36 min of low, warm light | 7:49 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:40 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 36 min before sunset | 5:31 PM |
| Sunset Sets WSW · 256° | 6:07 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:34 PM |
Times in America/Chicago · day length 10h 54m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.