Autumn on the Prairie at Nachusa Grasslands

Saturday, September 16, 2023
10 am to 4 pm
Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center
2075 Lowden Road
Franklin Grove, IL 61031

This annual event is open to the public.
Parking: $5 per car.
To keep our guests safe while we set up, we will open the festival gates at 10 am.
Donations will also be accepted at the Welcome Pavilion and Bison Tours Tent.
No Rain Date

Tours

Riding Prairie Tours — Look for Bison
Departing from 10:15 am to 3 pm

TICKETS

Free tickets will be available only at the Autumn on the Prairie site. Tickets cannot be obtained in advance, only in person on September 16.

Each person takes a number at the Bison Tours Tent and you can join a tour anytime your number is less than the one posted on a sign by the tent.
You will ride on a trailer through the preserve.
Finding the bison is not guaranteed, as they cannot always be seen from the lanes.

LAST TOUR

LOW MOBILITY

UTV shuttle rides are available from the main north parking to the Visitor Center handicapped parking area.
There are three handicapped parking spots along a paved sidewalk that leads to the Visitor Center.
Visitors with low mobility will need to be able to walk 200 feet (on pavement and grass) with slight inclines. And then walk up 3-4 steps into the tour trailer.

Guided Hiking Tours
Departing from 10:15 am to 3 pm

WHERE TO MEET

Meet at the Hiking Tours Tent at least 5 minutes before the scheduled departure.

HOW LONG ARE THE HIKES?

The tours will range from 60-90 minutes long, so bring a beverage. You may also want to bring a hat and wear sunscreen.
Visit this Hiking Tours webpage for details on the times, destinations, and difficulty of the hikes. This information will also be posted by the Hiking Tours Tent.

LOOKING FOR A SHORTER HIKE?

The Visitor Center Trail is .4-mile distance along a mowed path. Walk along this trail anytime during the day, for it's self-guided. New plant signs along the trail include a QR code that can be scanned to learn more about various plants.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Experienced guides will lead walking tours of Nachusa's prairies, woodlands, and wetlands.
Shuttled tours will drop you off and pick you up at a place on the preserve and then return you to the AOTP site.
Tours inside the Bison Unit will be cancelled or relocated if the herd is in the vicinity.
The number of participants for other shuttled tours may be limited, based on available transportation.
All tour length times are approximate.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

Sturdy shoes and long pants are recommended for the moderate and difficult hiking tours, as they may go off trail and navigate small hills. A hat will protect you from the sun.

10 am to 4 pm

Visitor Center Welcome Area
Catering by Oliver’s Market
Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education Live Birds of Prey Program and Displays
Self-Guided Plant ID Walking Path
Discovery Tent Activities
Kettlecorn by Farming Heritage, Inc.
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands T-shirt Sales

New badger T-shirt design!
Click the image to enlarge.

All posted plans are subject to change.

UPDATED 01/2023

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Map & Directions