Nachusa Grasslands, The Nature Conservancy

We're homeschoolers so love finding places like this for some live learning experiences. You can talk about the importance of prairie all you want but letting a child see it all in action gives a much deeper meaning and appreciation. Thankfully as we pulled up on our first visit we got to see a herd right away which was so exciting! We did try again another time and didn't see any so either way be prepared that you might not see them. There is a small parking lot with compost toilets and an area with info and a few small walking paths.

Roll of the dice if you will see drive all the roads that surround the grasslands
West flagg rd to just past Lost nation
Lowden rd
Naylor rd

Hiked there's today and had a wonderful time. Beautiful place with lots of birds to watch and sights to see. Seeing the Bison was also really cool.

Beautiful scenic wrap around trail to the visitors center, which is filled with information. Peaceful, great place to bring the kiddos. Please keep in mind Bison do roam so you are in no way guaranteed to see the mighty beasts!.

Great place to visit! Good hiking trails for the recreational hikers. It's a pretty area with the buffaloes as an additional bonus.

This is definitely an educational destination for any who love the outdoors and preserves. If you can, try to get on the once-a-month tour on a truck to hear about Nachusa's beginnings and the later introduction of the bison herd. Nature Conservancy put an enormous amount of work and thought into this preserve as they do in all their trusts. And take your camera - photo opportunities abound.

Hold your visit to this wonderful site until the middle of September for the Nachsa Festival when there are hike tours for you to check the small mammal research live-traps or the go on a safe Bison Tour. Researchers describe what the grassland offers and answer all questions. Great grilled lunch under tents as you visit with other prairie lovers. Parking is $5. Sign up for their calendar. Donate. They are doing great things!

Beautiful day for bison spotting. At least 3 different groups today. We were surprised to see 2 coyotes as we got to the top of the hill, they were surprised as well and scurried away.

Beautiful and peaceful. I was lucky and saw lots of Bison today!

I love it here. Today, there were probably 20 to 30 buffalo roaming around. Fresh air and so peaceful!

One of our go too's❣

The Nature Conservancy has done a tremendous job restoring prairie at Nachusa Grasslands. A peaceful and beautiful place. Numerous trails to hike and the very real possibility of seeing bison that have been reintroduced here.

So glad we visited. So beautiful and peaceful. Loved the open air, outdoor visitor center. Walking trail near welcome center wasn't strenuous, one incline on end of path. Loved having signs along path identifying different plants, flowers, & grasses. Didn't see any bison though we heard them. Take your time on the walking path, very serene listening to wind through tall grasses. Great for nature photography. Drove around perimeter looking for bison, no luck. Bathrooms were very clean & large for an outhouse. Permanent fixture, not typical green plastic portable outhouse. Beautiful open plains. Loved this visit more than I expected.

Great place in Illinois that people don't know about. Saw about 20 bison, some pelicans, a wild turkey and a coyote. Very peaceful.

Spent a wonderful day their watching the spectacular bison. They were pretty close and the weather was perfect for viewing them. I would recommend this to anyone.

After several visits, I always learn more about restoring prairie and, of course, the buffalo 🦬.
Amazing staff and volunteers.

Beautiful day for a walk , took binoculars to watch for bison herd. A quiet and peaceful afternoon.

Took our daghter here to see the buffalo but sadly none in site.
A very nice place.

Beautiful area. Nice for hiking. Seeing the bison herd is a special bonus!

If lucky or on a tour you can see free roaming bison reintroduced to a prairie habitat.