Nachusa Grasslands

Visitor Center
Open dawn to dusk 7 days a week
NO DOGS or OTHER PETS ALLOWED
2075 Lowden Road
​Franklin Grove, IL 61031

Headquarters Barn
(Volunteer workday meeting site)
8772 S Lowden Road
​Franklin Grove, IL 61031

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Nachusa Grasslands is located four miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road, between Naylor and Stone Barn Roads.

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Preserve hours of operation

• The unfenced areas of Nachusa Grasslands are open for hiking every day from dawn to dusk, except some units are closed during controlled burn and hunting seasons.
  
• Nachusa Grasslands is located four miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road, between Naylor and Stone Barn Roads.
• Note: The Headquarters Barn is in Ogle County, and the Visitor Center is in Lee County. Both are on the same road, but the addresses are different. The Visitor Center is 1/2 mile south of the Headquarters Barn.

Visitor Center

• Nachusa's Visitor Center is open every day from dawn to dusk.
• When you arrive at the Visitor Center, park in the diagonal spaces and climb the low hill to the pavilion featuring exhibits that tell the story of Nachusa.
• There is also an unpaved overflow lot north of the Visitor Center, west of Lowden Road.
  
• From the pavilion, you can hike around the Center or drive to one of five marked trailheads and explore on- or off-trail.
  

    Pet Policy 

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East

from Chicago, IL

100 miles

• I-88 West to I-39 North (83 miles)
• I-39 North to IL-38 (1.97 miles)
• Turn left on IL-38 (heading west 1.7 miles) to N Caron Rd. Turn right (north).
• North on N Caron Rd for .48 miles to Flagg Rd. Turn left.
• West on Flagg Rd. for 15.17 miles to S Lowden Rd. Turn left.
• South on S Lowden Rd for 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

South

from Springfield, IL

190 miles

• I-55 N toward Chicago to I-39 N/US-51 N (66.46 miles)
• I-39 N/US-51 N for 168 miles to IL-38, Exit 99. 
• Turn left on IL-38 (heading west 1.7 miles) to N Caron Rd. Turn right (north).
• North on N Caron Rd for .48 miles to Flagg Rd. Turn left.
• West on Flagg Rd. for 15.17 miles to S Lowden Rd. Turn left.
• South on S Lowden Rd for 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

North

​from Rockford, IL

45.2 miles

• I-39 South to IL-38 (44 miles)
• Turn right on IL-38 (heading west 1.7 miles) to N Caron Rd. Turn right (north).​
• North on N Caron Rd for .48 miles to Flagg Rd. Turn left.
• West on Flagg Rd. for 15.17 miles to S Lowden Rd. Turn left.
• South on S Lowden Rd for 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

West

​from Moline, IL

80 miles

• Take I-88 East/West Tollway. (65 miles) to IL-26/S Galena Ave, Exit 54 toward Dixon
  
• Take IL-26 exit to IL-2 (1.6 mile). 
• IL-2 to Lost Nation Rd. (2.8 miles)
• Lost Nation Rd east until joins Flagg Rd. (3.8 miles)
• Continue on Flagg Rd. to Lowden Rd. (2.6 miles)
• Turn right (South) on S Lowden Rd. Drive 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

UPDATED 06/2024