The United States Congress designated the Bay Creek Wilderness in 1990 and it now has a total of 2,866 acres. All of the wilderness is in Illinois and is managed by the Forest Service. The Bay Creek Wilderness is bordered by and the Burden Falls Wilderness to the northwest.
Bay Creek runs year-round, creating excellent conditions for woodland species including oak, pine, cedar, and ash, and flowering trees such as dogwood, redbud, wild cherry, and plum. On the north side, Bay Creek Wilderness shares a border with Burden Falls Wilderness. Bluffs colored by bands of iron oxide and unusual limestone and sandstone formations attract human visitors. The rock formations of the Shawnee Hills hold many caves, and one contains primitive wall paintings. Archaeologists believe there are more worthwhile sites yet to be discovered. Permits are not required for trail use or camping. Leave all archaeological sites as you find them, and don't touch "leaves of three"; poison ivy grows here as a vine, a freestanding low plant, and a freestanding high shrub.
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