Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Picture

Recommended Hikes
No collecting of any kind is permitted.

View Hiking Guidelines
Tailhead Map. Download PRINTABLE  

Parking may be unavailable during the winter months due to snowy weather.  The pull-offs and small lots are not plowed.

Picture
NO DOGS or OTHER PETS ALLOWED
Picture

Big Jump

View MAP
Trailhead: 2.6 miles north of the visitor center, on Lowden Road.
Parking: There is a small lot. Do not block any entrances or gates.
Where to hike: Hike either on the mowed lanes or off–trail. There are 350 acres to explore.
What can be seen along the hike?
​Remote hilly prairie, oak woodlands, a creek, and cliffs. Please do not climb or walk on the rock faces.
Picture

Clear Creek Knolls

View ​MAP
Trailhead: 1.4 miles north of the visitor center, on Lowden Road.
Parking: There is a small lot. Do not block any entrances or gates.
Where to hike: Hike either on the mowed lanes or off–trail. There are 300 acres to explore.
What can be seen along the hike?
​
Beautifully restored prairie (former crop fields), and some remnant hill prairies. There is also a creek crossing, so remove your socks and shoes and enjoy the refreshing water. Wear a swimsuit, for the creek ford is fun to play in on a hot day. 
Picture

Stone Barn Savanna

View ​MAP
Trailhead: At the dead–end of Stone Barn Road, 2 miles northwest of the visitor center.
Parking: There is pull-off parking in the grass. Do not block any gates or roads.
Where to hike: Walk through the opening near the fence and hike either on the mowed lanes or off–trail. There are 250 acres to explore. 
What can be seen along the hike?
A lovely extensive oak savanna (under restoration), restored prairie openings, wetlands and sandstone cliffs (do not climb the rock as it will break off).

Use a Smart Phone to access a guided hike along this trail.
Picture

Meiners Wetlands

View ​MAP
Trailhead: On Naylor Road, 2.4 miles southwest of the visitor center.
Parking: There is a parking lot.
Where to hike: Hike off–trail, for there are no mowed lanes to follow. There are 60 acres to traverse. 
What can be seen along the hike?
​
Remnant prairie, wetlands, a portion of Franklin Creek, and a pond with a bur oak hillside. Watch for birds, mink and muskrat along the creek.
Picture

Thelma Carpenter Prairie

View ​MAP
Trailhead: On Carthage Road, 2.4 miles northeast of the visitor center. This hike is best reached by taking Lowden Rd north, then Stone Barn Rd east and finally south on Carthage Road.
Parking: There is pull-off parking in the grass. Do not block any gates or roads.
Where to hike: Hike off-trail up the hill of this remnant prairie or along the mowed lanes. There are 60 acres to explore. 
What can be seen along the hike?
There are remnant prairies, prairie restorations, a fallow meadow, and an old farm pond.

Leave only your footsteps and take only your photos and memories!
UPDATED 05/2025

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Map & Directions

8772 S. Lowden Road  (mailing address)            
2075 Lowden Road (Visitor Center)           
Franklin Grove, IL 61031

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© 2025 FRIENDS OF NACHUSA GRASSLANDS The content on this website is owned by us and our licensors. Do not copy any content (including images) without our consent.
  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission, Leadership, Objectives, and Financials
    • Friends Annual Meeting 2024
    • Endowments
    • Heritage Heroes Initiative
    • Friends Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Guided Hikes
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • Autumn on the Prairie >
      • Yearly Festival
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own
    • Things to Do
    • Places to Eat and Stay
    • Local Sites to Visit and Explore
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Thursday and Saturday Workdays >
      • Workday Signup
      • Workdays – November to February
      • Volunteer Workday Safety Protocols
      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
      • Steward Workday Tips
    • Workday Email List
    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Docents
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Weed Reports
    • Native plant resources
    • Volunteer Stewards
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Invasive Plant Management
      • Invasive Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Resource Links
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Symposium 2025
    • 2025 Science Symposium Abstracts
    • Science Grants >
      • Science Grants 2025
      • Science Grants 2021 to 2024 >
        • Science Grants 2024
        • Science Grants 2023
        • Science Grants 2022
        • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2016 to 2020 >
        • Science Grants 2020
        • Science Grants 2019
        • Science Grants 2018
        • Science Grants 2017
        • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2011 to 2015 >
        • Science Grants 2015
        • Science Grants 2014
        • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Anderson Science Award
    • Science Videos
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Nachusa Staff
    • Prairie Smoke Annual Reports
    • Plant Inventory >
      • Common Names
      • Genus Species
    • Animal Inventory >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Bison Bison >
        • Bison
        • Bison Babies Broadcast Videos
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Mammals
      • Other Arthropods
      • Reptiles
    • History
    • Jobs
    • Hunting
    • Geology >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
    • Websites of Interest
  • Teacher Resources
    • K-2nd grades
    • 3rd-5th grades
    • 6th-8th grades
    • High School
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs