The 9,550-acre area, located in southern Illinois in Alexander County, includes 2,400-acre Horseshoe Lake--Alexander County. The lake resembles a shallow Louisiana bayou with its wading herons and its large stands of cypress swamps, cottonwoods and tupelo gums. In addition to taking in the beauty of the natural features of the area, visitors enjoy picnicking, camping, boating, fishing and hunting. More than 150,000 Canada geese winterover at Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area.