Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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The parking area is not plowed during the winter months and therefore may be unavailable after a heavy snowfall. The tour signs are removed from November to May.

Stone Barn Savanna Tour

Wel​come! 

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Online Guided Tour
This hike is meant to be a self-guided tour along the Stone Barn Savanna trail, using your cell phone or other mobile devices. Be aware that not all devices have reception in this remote location. Verizon Wireless and US Cellular usually have the best reception all the time.
​

Along this hiking tour, you will pass through an oak savanna under restoration, around magnificent sandstone rock outcrops, near prairie restoration plantings and end at a large recovering wetland. Roundtrip, this tour to the wetlands and back is about 1.8 miles long, Bring bug repellent and a water bottle. Wear long pants, socks and sturdy shoes while hiking on and off the trails. Enjoy your hike!

Directions to the Trailhead
From the Visitor Center drive .8 miles north to Stone Barn Road. Turn left (west) and drive 1.2 miles until the road dead–ends. Park in the designated areas. Trail Map 

Seven Numbered Stops
The entire tour contains seven stops at points of interest. Each stop is marked by a numbered sign on a post. Scan the QR code on each sign to read more about the habitat along the trail.
Picture
Picture
​Three Turns
The entire hike to Stop 7 includes three turns. Look for the right and left turn signs at the trail intersections.
Click on the photos to read the text at each stop:
Picture
Intro by Mark Jordan
Picture
Stop 1 — Open Woodland
Picture
Stop 2 — Oak Savanna
Picture
Stop 3 — St. Peter Sandstone
Picture
Stop 4 — Sandstone Bluff Planting
Picture
Stop 5 — Restoration Activity
Picture
Stop 6 — Prairie Planting
Picture
Stop 7 — Wetlands

    Share your hike experience with us . . .

    Did you see anything interesting? Did you have any problems following the trail?
    Your feedback with help us improve the experience for others.
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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 2025
    • 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