Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own
Here are links to several resources to enhance your visits to Nachusa's prairies, woodlands, and wetlands.
Visitor Center
The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is open every day from dawn to dusk. The pavilion features exhibits that tell the story of Nachusa. From there, you can hike around the Visitor Center trail, or drive to one of five trailheads and explore. Check this link for information on Self-Guided Tours.
The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is open every day from dawn to dusk. The pavilion features exhibits that tell the story of Nachusa. From there, you can hike around the Visitor Center trail, or drive to one of five trailheads and explore. Check this link for information on Self-Guided Tours.
Visitor Center Trail
The Visitor Center Trail is a half-mile mowed path that can be accessed from either the parking lot or the Visitor Center pavilion.
The Visitor Center Trail is a half-mile mowed path that can be accessed from either the parking lot or the Visitor Center pavilion.
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Visitor Center Show Garden
A decorative chain surrounds the garden between the sidewalks southeast of the Visitor Center Pavilion. About 40 plant labels identify the species in the enclosure. Flowers bloom from spring to fall, so there's an ever-changing palette to experience. |
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Recommended Hikes
The trails to walk along will differ from what a visitor may be accustomed to at other preserves and parks. Except for Stone Barn Savanna, there will be no signage along the trails for interpretation or to point the hiker in a particular direction. Visitors are welcome to walk along the "two–tracks" or to explore off–trail.
The trails to walk along will differ from what a visitor may be accustomed to at other preserves and parks. Except for Stone Barn Savanna, there will be no signage along the trails for interpretation or to point the hiker in a particular direction. Visitors are welcome to walk along the "two–tracks" or to explore off–trail.
Scavenger Hunt
Families with children will especially enjoy this challenge to search for plants and critters at Clear Creek Knolls or our other hiking destinations. Access the web page with a mobile device (Verizon Wireless and US Cellular usually have the best reception at Nachusa), or download a printable PDF and bring it with you. You may submit your findings using the form on the web page.
Families with children will especially enjoy this challenge to search for plants and critters at Clear Creek Knolls or our other hiking destinations. Access the web page with a mobile device (Verizon Wireless and US Cellular usually have the best reception at Nachusa), or download a printable PDF and bring it with you. You may submit your findings using the form on the web page.
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Stone Barn Savanna Online Guided Tour
Use your cell phone or other mobile device for a self-guided hike along the Stone Barn Savanna trail. Each of the seven stops is marked by a numbered green sign on a post. The website provides an introduction as well as corresponding text for each of the stops. Along the 1.8-mile round trip, you will take three turns as you pass through an oak savanna under restoration, walk around magnificent sandstone rock outcrops, explore prairie plantings (restorations), and end up at a large recovering wetland, where you will retrace your steps back to the entrance at the west end of Stone Barn Road. Share your feedback via the website form if you wish. |
"Bison Babies Broadcasts" YouTube Videos
In the summer of 2020, Friends of Nachusa Grasslands created three "Bison Baby Broadcast" videos — Bison Calving, Bison Viewing, and Bison Research — to raise funds for our Scientific Research Grant program. Please note that the campaign has ended, and the photo gifts are no longer available. You can still learn about Nachusa’s herd and see an animated map of the roads around the bison units. The bison roam across 1,500 acres of rolling land in no particular pattern and at no predictable time and are often not visible from the Visitor Center or roadsides, but perhaps you will be fortunate to spot some animals during your time at Nachusa.
In the summer of 2020, Friends of Nachusa Grasslands created three "Bison Baby Broadcast" videos — Bison Calving, Bison Viewing, and Bison Research — to raise funds for our Scientific Research Grant program. Please note that the campaign has ended, and the photo gifts are no longer available. You can still learn about Nachusa’s herd and see an animated map of the roads around the bison units. The bison roam across 1,500 acres of rolling land in no particular pattern and at no predictable time and are often not visible from the Visitor Center or roadsides, but perhaps you will be fortunate to spot some animals during your time at Nachusa.
Thank you to all the volunteers, including Mike Adolph, Dee Hudson, Leah Kleiman, and Susan Kleiman, who helped develop our visitor resources.
UPDATED 03/2025