Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Pleasant hike. No bison spotted on this visit.

This was our first outing south of our location to go birding and to generally enjoy the outdoors. We had read that migrating monarch butterflies were passing through Midewin we hoped to spot migratin...

Pleasant afternoon biking

I’ve visited here three times but never seen any bison, so don’t come exclusively for that reason. Some times of year, nice wildflowers and good birdwatching. Things to keep in mind: the good—it...

Be sure to see the Bison

Living in downtown Chicago since the 1970s, my wife and I can count our yearly encounters with grasslands and forests and nature preserves on one hand. Not to mention a glimpse of American bison. So w...

Still in development, but still great

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is an admirable repurposed conservation area at the former Joliet ammunition plant.   A variety of options are available to enjoy the place.  The Visitor Center (clo...

Something different

Finding that near Joliet Illinois, there was this Nature Preserve call Madeline National Tallgrass Prairie that looked interesting for bird watching. We arrived and found the visitor Center was closed...