Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Discover the serene beauty of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a hidden gem along Route 66 that invites travelers to step into a world of vibrant prairies and rich wildlife. This expansive landscape, with its stunning vistas and historic trails, offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Illinois’ natural heritage. Perfect for those looking to stretch their legs or immerse themselves in the great outdoors, Midewin is a must-visit stop that enriches your Route 66 experience with adventure, tranquility, and a slice of history.
Alyssa Bowers
5 months ago"This is such a hidden gem! I’m always on the lookout for national park and forest stamps for my passport book and found this place when staying with family nearby. I’ve never really spent time in a restored native prairie as we do most of our hiking in forests. This place blew my mind with how bio diverse it is! So many birds and butterflies. I added so many to my list. We didn’t see buffalo but didn’t expect to since they have very large pastures and it was extremely hot when we went. The folks in the visitor center were so kind and the store they have has some adorable and affordable gifts. Make sure you stop in and support our national forests, they need it more than ever! Especially places like this that are working hard to restore native grasslands to the US again. I’m so glad to see efforts like this taking off as a habitat restoration and bird nerd. I hope to be back again next time I’m in town and hopefully when it is not 95 degrees!"
Sue Adams
4 months ago"Beautiful natural area with plenty of hiking trails."
Hugh Sato
2 years ago"So nice! There's something for every nature lover out here. Stop by the HQ for a nice little exhibit on history about the area, gift shop, some hydration, flushing bathrooms, and learn from the excellent staff there. We started hiking from the northern parking lot and we hiked to the HQ where we had lunch. Just note that the parking lots besides the HQ are basically maintained latrine type toilets. There's a great number of bison, but we just happened to be there on a day where they were hanging out just far enough from the trail to not be seen. Just means we'll have to come back, perhaps with some bicycles!"
Lindsey Stirek
8 months ago"Went to the birdwatching trail near the henslow trail. It was raining a little so a lot of birds were roosting but still saw so many and the views were panoramic!"
Brandon Wigboldy
3 years ago"Awesome place to check out if you're in the area. So nice to walk through native restored prairies. Lots of beautiful plants to see. Can also now rent bikes to check out the trails. Also make sure to check out the old ammunition storage bunkers. Most are closed but some are open to explore. If you're lucky you may also get to see some bison! Great place to catch a sunset on a summer evening."
