Hiking Tours
Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival, September 20, 2025
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Transportation for tours is by truck. Unless specified otherwise, tours last about an hour and a half.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Self-guided Plant ID Trail The trail is a 0.5-mile-mowed path that is accessed from the Visitor Center Welcome Area. Just follow the hiking trail signs. Scan the QR code on the plant signs to learn more about various plants along the trail. Easy and Child Friendly 10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Prairie Experience Take this self-guided tour of Nachusa’s Clear Creek Knolls unit any time of day to learn what it takes to restore and maintain a prairie. Follow the signs to discover information about Nachusa and how this former cornfield became a grassland. Easy 15+ minutes — up to you 10:30 am — Ridge Walk Looking flor a quick 15-minute introduction to the prairie? A Nachusa steward will walk with you on this short hike along the ridge just behind the festival site. Easy 15+ minutes — up to you 10:45 am – 12:45 pm — The Fen Perhaps the most unusual site at Nachusa is the Fen—an alkaline wetland featuring a peat bog fed by a spring that percolates up from a sand boil year round, even during droughts or freezing winters. Longtime steward Kevin Kaltenbach will guide you on this hike through tussock sedges and other unique plants. Difficult 2 hours 11:00 am – 12:30 pm — Photography Charles Larry, who has been documenting Nachusa for years with his camera, will share some of his tips for capturing great nature photographs. Moderate 1.5 hours 11:15 am – 12:45 pm — Birding in the Grassland Grassland-nesting birds are among the most threatened species. Nachusa is home to bobolinks, meadowlarks, several rare types of sparrows, and dickcissels—beautiful birds that migrate from South America. Longtime birder Jay Stacy will lead you to the Thelma Carpenter Prairie unit in hopes of seeing these colorful birds through a sporting scope. Easy 1.5 hours 11:45 am – 1:15 pm — Bison Grazing The reintroduction of bison grazing in prairies can have a big impact, but much remains to be learned. Explore grazing lawns with visiting scientist Samantha Berk as she sheds light on how the unique eating habits and social behavior of bison impact the prairie. Moderate 1.5 hours 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm — How about those Bison? Volunteering in the bison unit presents challenges, including surprise encounters with both the animals and their meadow muffins. Join Al and Mary Meier as they hike through remnants and restorations, observing bison paths and wallows as well as late summer blooms. Moderate 1.5 hours 12:30 am — Ridge Walk Join Abbigail McWilliams for a 15-minute walk along the Ridge Trail from the festival site to explore and learn about the Nachusa prairie. Easy 15+ minutes — up to you |
12:45pm – 2:15 pm — Science Projects
Join Nachusa Grasslands research scientist Dr. Elizabeth Bach for a stroll through some of the long-term research projects taking place on the prairie. Learn how restoration efforts support native plants and animals, and how research can lead to new management approaches. All ages are welcome. This will be a moderate hike with some off-trail walking. Moderate 1.5 hours 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm — Greenhouse Gasses How does the prairie impact greenhouse gasses that effect global climate? Michael Yonker, a researcher at the University of Illinois will describe the effect of microbes in the soil and plant roots to suggest some answers to the question. Moderate 1.5 hours 1:15 pm – 2:45 pm — The Savanna Woodland Nachusa isn’t just grassland—it also includes oak and hickory savanna woodlands, featuring spectacular rock outcrops and beautiful spring flowers. Visit the Stone Barn Savanna with steward Mike Carr to learn how these wooded areas are being restored. Difficult 2 hours 1:30 pm — Ridge Walk Join Abbigail McWilliams for a 15-minute walk along the Ridge Trail from the festival site to explore and learn about the Nachusa prairie. Easy 15+ minutes — up to you 1:45 pm – 3:15 pm — Drawing Plants Try your hand at drawing plants! Steward Betty Higby will share some of her drawings and demonstrate a few techniques she uses to create them. Sketch pads and pencils will be provided. This activity will take place at Nachusa’s headquarters in a 19th-century barn. Easy 1.5 hours 2:15 pm – 3:45 pm — Prairie Overview Researcher and tour leader Heather Herakovich will explain the complex interactions that create and maintain a prairie. The plants, insects, and animals together make Nachusa a remarkable and unique place. Moderate 1.5 hours 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm — Prairie Meets Savanna Restoring prairie and forest often go hand-in-hand. Bernie Buchholz, who has restored many acres of both, will lead you on a picturesque walk through restored examples of each. Moderate 1.5 hours 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm — Corral Bison roam the range—except when the vet visits the special corral, where they receive health checkups and vaccinations. Some animals are selected for transportation to other sites across the country, where new herds are being developed. Damien Considine, who helped build the corral, will share the story. Easy 1 hours 3:15 pm — Ridge Walk Once again, Abbigail McWilliams will guide visitors on a 15-minute walk along the Ridge Trail from the festival site to explore and learn about the Nachusa prairie. Easy 15+ minutes — up to you |
UPDATED 08/2025