Nachusa Grasslands

Visitor Center
(Volunteer workday meeting site)
Open dawn to dusk 7 days a week
NO DOGS or OTHER PETS ALLOWED
2075 Lowden Road
​Franklin Grove, IL 61031

Headquarters Barn
(Authorized entry only)
8772 S Lowden Road
​Franklin Grove, IL 61031

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Preserve hours of operation
The unfenced areas of Nachusa Grasslands are open for hiking every day from dawn to dusk, except during controlled burn and hunting seasons.

Nachusa Grasslands is located four miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road, between Naylor and Stone Barn Roads.

Note: The Headquarters Barn is in Ogle County, and the Visitor Center is in Lee County. Both are on the same road, but the addresses are different. The Visitor Center is 1/2 mile south of the Headquarters Barn.

Visitor Center
Nachusa's Visitor Center is open every day from dawn to dusk. When you arrive at the Visitor Center, park in the new lot and climb the low hill to the pavilion featuring exhibits that tell the story of Nachusa.

    Pet Policy 

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East

from Chicago, IL

100 miles

• I-88 West to I-39 North (83 miles)
• I-39 North to IL-38 (1.97 miles)
• Turn left on IL-38 (heading west 1.7 miles) to N Caron Rd. Turn right (north).
• North on N Caron Rd for .48 miles to Flagg Rd. Turn left.
• West on Flagg Rd. for 15.17 miles to S Lowden Rd. Turn left.
• South on S Lowden Rd for 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

South

from Springfield, IL

190 miles

• I-55 N toward Chicago to I-39 N/US-51 N (66.46 miles)
• I-39 N/US-51 N for 168 miles to IL-38, Exit 99. 
• Turn left on IL-38 (heading west 1.7 miles) to N Caron Rd. Turn right (north).
• North on N Caron Rd for .48 miles to Flagg Rd. Turn left.
• West on Flagg Rd. for 15.17 miles to S Lowden Rd. Turn left.
• South on S Lowden Rd for 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

North

​from Rockford, IL

45.2 miles

• I-39 South to IL-38 (44 miles)
• Turn right on IL-38 (heading west 1.7 miles) to N Caron Rd. Turn right (north).​
• North on N Caron Rd for .48 miles to Flagg Rd. Turn left.
• West on Flagg Rd. for 15.17 miles to S Lowden Rd. Turn left.
• South on S Lowden Rd for 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

West

​from Iowa, IL

85 miles

• Take I-88 East/West Tollway. (70 miles) to IL-26/S Galena Ave, Exit 54 toward Dixon
• Take IL-26 exit to IL-2 (1.6 mile). 
• IL-2 to Lost Nation Rd. (2.8 miles)
• Lost Nation Rd east until joins Flagg Rd. (3.8 miles)
• Continue on Flagg Rd. to Lowden Rd. (2.6 miles)
• In .99 miles, the Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the left (east), 2075 Lowden Rd.
• Turn right (South) on S Lowden Rd. Drive 1.33 miles.
• The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is on the right (west), 2075 Lowden Rd.

UPDATED 09/2020