Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Picture

Recommended Hikes
No collecting of any kind is permitted.

View Hiking Guidelines
VIEW Trailhead Map. Download PRINTABLE  Trailhead Map (a very large file). 

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
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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, cliffs, and crop fields. There is a creek crossing after the crop field and before the prairie hills. Remove your shoes and socks and enjoy the crossing! Please do not climb the rock faces or walk on any crops you see. 
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 App to hike this trail. Learn more.
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 9/2020

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2075 Lowden Road             |           Franklin Grove, IL 61031              |             Contact Us


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  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission, Leadership, Objectives, and Financials
    • Endowments
    • Heritage Heroes Initiative
    • Friends Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
    • Friends Annual Meeting 2022
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Autumn on the Prairie
    • 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
      • Volunteer Workday Safety Protocols
      • Workdays – November to February
      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
      • Steward Workday Tips
    • Stewardship Teams
    • Workday Email List
    • Steward Login
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2016
    • Stewards and Staff
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Weekly Top Picks
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Invasive Plant Management
      • Invasive Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Links & Resources
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Grants >
      • Science Grants 2023
      • Science Grants 2022
      • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2020
      • Science Grants 2019
      • Science Grants 2018
      • Science Grants 2017
      • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2015
      • Science Grants 2014
      • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • Science Symposium 2023
    • Science Symposium Abstracts >
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2019
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2018
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2017
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Testimonials >
      • Dr. Holly Jones
      • Dr. Nick Barber
      • Kimberly Elsenbroek
    • Science Videos
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • 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
    • 30th Anniversary Memories
    • Websites of Interest
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
      • Visitor Photos
    • Submit Your Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs