Nachusa Grasslands - Visitor Center

Drew

2024-03

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Jennifer Crow

2022-05

Please go visit here if you are anywhere in the area! So peaceful. Such great educational historical info, wonderful easy walking path through the prairie grasslands. Gorgeous views especially at sunset. Seeing the Buffalo was so exciting!! Go down the side road to the honey man for fresh local honey. He sells it honor system in front of his house. It's delicious. Side road is also another good chance to find the Buffalo if you didn't see him in the main Prairie

Jim Manley

2021-05

Nachusa Grasslands in a fantastic place and the visitor center is very nice. It's a huge place, so the bison are not always visible from the center. There a short path to do a little walking while there, and a lot of educational info posted all over the shelter. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Susannah Ball

2023-05

Incredible place, over 4000 acres of remnant and restored prairie. Great interpretative center with bathrooms and water, unmanned. Over 700 species of plants many rare or endangered. Bison herd to manage grasslands but this is not a zoo, the bison are doing their thing and you may not see them. Trails from visitor center but also other locations. Maps available at this location.

Debbie Weslow

2024-03

Beautiful place! The drive in is beautiful with rolling hills and gorgeous landscape. The information pavilion is well done. We will be back to see the landscape in the spring and summer as well. And the bison are just cool!

Angela Schoger

2021-05

I saw a post on Facebook of this place and fell in love with the scenery! I was surprised to see bison not more than an hours drive away! I made sure to get out and take some fall color photos and see if I could see any bison. Beautuful area! The trail around was roughly a half mile and neat to walk around. The bison unfortunately weren't out in the prairie, but still spotted some up the road from the visitor center. Great for kids and adults. Great way to enjoy nature and beauty of IL!

Diane Rocha

2021-05

Nice place to stop an enjoy the beauty of the vast prairie. You might see the bison herd, we were fortunate to see them. We hiked with our snow trac on, as it was icy. The bathrooms were clean and have composting toilet. Stop on your way to Franklin creek state natural area.

JM FIREPRO

2020-05

This is a wonderful reserve with the emphasis set up on the animals. There is a nice pavilion with facts about the prairie and short trails for closer viewing. You might have to go several times to see any Bison up close. In my opinion, that's what makes it great. It's not a zoo with depressed animals in cages, you really feel like you are looking through a window into the past.

Ryan Kelly

2023-05

Educational outlook platform with plenty of shade. Be prepared for the possibility you may not see wildlife. It may be helpful to bring binoculars. We did see wildlife way out but too far to appreciate.

Brent Nicklas

2022-05

Fairly small, so don't expect to spend a lot of time here. It'sa typical Midwestern prairie, which is nice in its own way but not too exciting. The wild bison and prairie burn areas are worth checking out though!

Daniel Lieving

2022-05

Fantastic place for a quick stop. Large heard of Buffalo can be hard to spot but fun to find. Bring binoculars. Sundown will sometimes produce deer coming from the brush to get a drink of water. Bathrooms and sidewalks as well as handicap accessible. The kids enjoy pushing all the buttons that explains their surroundings through speakers. Highly recommend.

Timothy Backe

2019-05

This is a great sanctuary for bison and wild prairie land. It's obvious the amount of care and effort it took to restore what was the natural condition of Illinois before the introduction of mass agriculture. If you're interested in conservation or teaching kids about the past, this is a great place to come.

LUCY CONDON

2021-05

Lovely view of the grasslands, Bison from afar, many golden young bison and several huge bulls, interp center is awesome, informative, and a work of art.

Ken Modzelewski

2023-05

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Andrew Wells

2023-10

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John Bembenek

2023-10

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Christina Klock

2022-05

Beautiful place to enjoy the prairie. Great for birding. Oh, and Bison!

Junae Benne

2022-05

We saw Appa and his crew but from a far. The Bison are unpredictable but the 0.4 mile trail was really nice to walk

Tree Hugger

2023-05

This is a great public outdoor adventure in which visitors can view many acres of beautiful rolling native grasslands, natural flowers, various bird species plus deer. Buffalos also roam the grasslands! There is a visitor center in which the staff provides interesting information about Nachusa Grasslands as well as providing tours!

Victor Tirado

2022-05

Nice place to visit if like nature and wildlife is a park reserve Bison

Ryan Madlener

2022-05

Such a cool place. Thank you nature conservatory for giving this beautiful land the care and attention it needs!

Joy Colberg

2023-05

We always like visiting the Nachusa Grasslands! It's a peaceful, serene place that soothes the soul and refreshes the mind! And seeing the bison are an added benefit! If you live nearby, GO THERE!! If you are in the vicinity, GO THERE! If you are on a vacation trip, GO THERE! It is truly beautiful!

mike lanning

2020-05

Great place to visit and enjoy the wildlife.

Natha B

2023-08

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Douglas D.

2023-06

We Love going to see the Buffalo! Awesome!!

Kathy Flenner

2021-05

Nice overview of the pond. We saw a pair of Canada geese and a pair of Sandhill cranes.

Kenia Flores

2020-05

Great way to get in touch with nature. The hiking trails could use more signage and better directions from the visitor center. Views were amazing! If you are thinking about doing trails you need mosquito AND tick repellent, wear pants and long sleeves and check each other regularly or at least at the end of your hike, especially children. Other than that enjoy!

Travis Bryant

2022-05

Heard about this place from friends and drove over to it. Made for a really nice day trip from Rockford. The views were beautiful and the whole experience was relaxing and tranquil. Enjoyed the herd of buffaloes.

Joy McKinney

2019-05

One of the few remaining natural areas in Illinois. It's breathtaking! It's like going back in time to see what the natural beauty of Illinois was like. You may observe the bison roaming from the Visitor's Center and enjoy a hike on one of the many trails to see the beauty of the native plants and animals that call Nachusa home year-round. Bring your friends and family and come see this amazing place up close and personal!!

Kelsie Lowery

2020-05

Love what they are doing out here for research and such a calm and peaceful place