Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Before Hiking . . .

Preserve hours of operation:
The Nachusa Grasslands Preserve is open from dawn to dusk.

​Water and restrooms:
At Nachusa's Visitor Center, located at 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, there is a hand pump with potable water and two self-composting restrooms.

What to wear and what to bring:
Sunscreen and insect repellent, especially for ticks and mosquitoes, are recommended. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water, for the unshaded prairie gets very hot and there are no facilities on the preserve to purchase water. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended.

Where to park and enter:
Park in designated lots if present, or pull completely off the roads. Please do not block the gates. Enter the trails through the designated fence openings. No climbing over any fences.
​

How are Nachusa's "trails" unique?
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.

TWO–TRACKS
These mowed lanes are found extensively throughout the preserve and have been created to allow preserve vehicles (only) to access and manage the property. Feel free to hike along them.

OFF–TRAIL
Visitors are encouraged to venture off the two–track lanes to explore and experience the wonder and beauty of the prairie and woodlands up–close. The adventurous hiker may blaze their own path or use animal paths and well-traveled staff and volunteer paths.
What to expect off–trail.
If you venture off–trail, the terrain is uneven and the hiker must be observant of animal holes and rocks. There may be thorny plants and briars amidst the grasses and flowering plants. The habitat can also change quickly from a dry prairie to a wet prairie; from a restored woodland to a savanna; from level topography to magnificent sandstone rock outcrops. So, if you choose to explore off–trail, be sure to dress appropriately for this type of adventure.

CAUTION! Danger of falling. Stay well back from the cliff edges and do not climb on the rock faces, as the sandstone is very soft and can easily crumble under your weight. Feel free to explore the rock faces from the bottom, always being aware of the danger of falling rocks or other objects. 
Picture
​Why are dogs, ATV's, and bicycles prohibited in the prairie?

Nachusa Grasslands is a preserve set aside for native species, rather than for recreation. Rare and even endangered ground–nesting birds both breed and winter here. Pets and recreational vehicles can disturb these species and are therefore not allowed. 
​

When are trails closed?
In late fall and early spring, portions of the preserve will be closed for prescribed burns. Please note that the woodlands are closed during shotgun hunting season for deer. Shotgun hunting season runs the Friday through Sunday before Thanksgiving and the first full Thursday through Sunday in December.
Picture
Check this link for information on Self-Guided Tours.
Leave only your footsteps and take only your photos and memories!
UPDATED 06/2021

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


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  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission and Leadership
    • 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
    • Teacher Resources
    • 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
    • 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 2022
    • Science Symposium Abstracts >
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2019
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2018
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2017
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2016
    • 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