Sunsets on Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
photo by Ted Nelson
Many readers are probably not thinking Midewin, but more like midiwhat, midiwhere, and midi-how to I get there? Even though it is so close to Chicago many do not have this pretty prairie park on their radar screen. At fifty miles away from Chicago it is the second closest park owned by the U.S. government second only to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Midiwhat? -
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie was established in 1996 by Bill Clinton and became the first of its kind. It is one of the largest attempts to reverse prairie and wetland losses and lies at the former location of the U.S. Army’s Joliet Arsenal. Bobolinks, meadowlarks, and short-eared owls have replaced development of munitions.
We have all seen very small scale attempts to restore prairie. Every effort is always sealed with a sign to let us know just what is going on. This is no ordinary field next to the road, but prairie restoration. These attempts are appreciated and worthwhile, but Midewin's restoration dwarfs all others I have seen as the park now has 9,100 acres open to the public.
Midiwhere? -
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is located very close to the I-55 and I-80 junction near the town of Elwood directly south of Joliet.
Midi-how do I get there? –
From Chicago take I-55 to St. Louis and exit at number 241. After the exit turn east on River Road to Illinois Route 53 and then take a left and go north on 53 and the park entrance is a couple miles to the right. From I-80 take exit 132 and take 53 south to the park headquarters and trailheads.
Midi-what is there to do there? –
There are currently 28 miles of trail at the park, so the hiking is excellent. Since the park is a prairie there are long stretches of trail without shade and there is no potable water in the park. If taking a hike be sure to have proper sun protection and have plenty of water. If there is any precipitation in the forecast bring rain gear as there is no shelter inside the park. The park closes one hour after sunset so no camping here.
The birding and animal life is excellent at Midewin. I saw today a loggerhead shrike, great blue heron, bobolink, eastern meadowlark, eastern bluebird, short-eared owl, red-tailed hawk and two coyotes and plenty more.
For its proximity to Chicago the park is really serene and tranquil. There were moments when the only sound was the cackle of the red-winged blackbird and the chirping of meadowlarks and bobolinks. It is not the most breathtakingly beautiful National Forest Park I have hiked in, but it does have its own unique type of appeal. I hiked all day and saw two horseback riders and after they left there was no one.
Moonrise over Medewin National Tallgrass Prairie
photo by Ted Nelson
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is the closest place to Chicago that one would think they should not get cell phone reception (it does). The time to explore and visit Midwin National Tallgrass Prairie is midinow.
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Comments
It looks like they have re-created a great working ecosystem here.
I wonder how many of your readers know what a hedgeapple is?
Have to say I never knew what a hedgeapple was. Thanks for this piece Ted.
Ooh, I like the moonrise photo. We have some prairie restoration in Lake Forest that is part of our Open Lands Association. Delighted to hear about a large piece near Chicago.
Prairie park is nice looking to just chill in.
Wow! This was a great article. I offered to volunteer here back in 1997 or so. Anyone interested in doing restoration this is the place to do it, you just need to fill out a volunteer application with the Department of the Interior (I believe that was the Department). I am SO glad you brought this park to everyone's attention. The dream back in the early 1990's was to get an established buffalo population there. I guess they have not done that yet. It was good to hear the bluebirds are there, though. Wow, what a great article!
This looks kind of... bleak... I think I miss the snow! (I miss it only in your photos, of course.)
I've never heard of this place, but that last photo with the moonrise is cool :)
Midi-wow! Great story :)
There is also a Metra that runs from Chicago to Manhattan. From the Manhattan Metra there is a bike trail that takes you to the Eastern edge of Midewin.
There are some cool historical sites in Midewin, like the pioneer cemeteries that were established by pioneer families and then maintained by the Joliet Arsenal, and then the Forest Service and Midewin volunteers.
Thanks for highlighting this park, sounds like a great place to photograph prairie wildlife.
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