Nachusa Grasslands is located four miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road, between Naylor and Stone Barn Roads.
Preserve hours of operation
The unfenced areas of Nachusa Grasslands are open for hiking every day from dawn to dusk, except some units are closed during controlled burn and hunting seasons.
Nachusa Grasslands is located four miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road, between Naylor and Stone Barn Roads.
Note: The Headquarters Barn is in Ogle County, and the Visitor Center is in Lee County. Both are on the same road, but the addresses are different. The Visitor Center is 1/2 mile south of the Headquarters Barn.
Nachusa's Visitor Center is open every day from dawn to dusk.
When you arrive at the Visitor Center, park in the diagonal spaces and climb the low hill to the pavilion featuring exhibits that tell the story of Nachusa.
There is also an unpaved overflow lot north of the Visitor Center, west of Lowden Road.
From the pavilion, you can hike around the Center or drive to one of five marked trailheads and explore on- or off-trail.