Take a Hike at West Chicago Prairie!

By Ed Max

If you've never been to the West Chicago Prairie, consider a trip there soon. It’s a good time of year for hiking prairies and grasslands, as the vegetation is still manageable and vistas are great. West Chicago Prairie is a remnant prairie; much of it is intact and has never been tilled under or destroyed, thus making it one of the best-quality black-soil remnant prairies left in our area. (Sadly, only 1.5% of native prairies remain in Illinois.) 

In late spring and early summer species to be seen are Shooting Star,

the unusual and parasitic Betony seen here, 

and Hoary Puccoon -

all rare species in this magical place. In June even rarer plants can be seen, such as Wild Blue Indigo (baptisia species), a tall blue legume native to our prairies, seen with Golden Alexander,

and the even more rare Cream Wild Indigo,

and the magnificent Canassia (below).

All told there are well over 400 different species in this nature preserve, and it is vast. It is not a hard hike: relatively flat, with several miles of trials, in both prairie and oak savanna. Bring water and a big hat if it’s sunny, and wear long pants and boots.

Late May and early June are best for seeing the prairie in spring bloom, and late summer for seasonal color.

The Prairie is located in West Chicago, west of Rt. 59. Go west on Hawthorne Lane to Industrial Drive, and go left to the parking lot. You can also access this park by bike on Geneva Spur bike trail, which is a wonderful path near the DuPage airport.

Get out and enjoy!

All photos by Ed Max