Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
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  • Spring Blossom Tour

    credit; Tom Coyne

    Midewin is a prairie in restoration. Yet, it also boasts a mosaic of habitats, including rich, moist woodlands. In spring, woodlands are the first areas to burst forth into heavenly blooms. Spring ephemerals, plants that bloom for a short time, burst forth in flowers before the trees leaf out. Come enjoy the gems of our woodlands before their blooms fade for another year. These beauties don't all blossom at the same time but in succession. More than one trip might be needed to see them all. Blooms usually begin appearing from March through April and into May. Mother nature controls the exact bloom time.


    REMEMBER:

    STAY ON PATHS TO PROTECT DELICATE FLOWERS.


    PICKING FLOWERS MEANs FLOWERS CANNOT CREATE SEEDS FOR NEW PLANTS.


    Two great sites to see spring ephemerals at Midewin are Prairie Creek Wood Trail & Prairie Farmer Interpretive Route. Maps & directions from the Welcome Center are below.

    DIRECTIONS: Welcome Center to Prairie Creek Woods Trail

    Turn LEFT onto Rt. 53 head south

    Turn RIGHT 2nd stop light (River Road)

    Travel about 2 miles to Boathouse Rd.

    Turn LEFT at Boathouse Rd.

    Head north, pass kiosk on Left, turn RIGHT into lot

    Exit your car & head to North end of parking lot

    Pass vaulted toilets & go through people gate

    Turn RIGHT onto road & go North about 100-200 ft

    Turn LEFT as trees end onto mowed trail

    DIRECTIONS: Welcome Center to Prairie Farmer Interpretive Route

    Turn RIGHT onto Rt. 53

    Travel north about 2.5 miles

    Get into RIGHT lane

    Pass under bridge & get into turn lane

    Turn RIGHT

    Travel up gravel drive to parking lot

    Head to trail at south end of lot to start tour

    Spring Blossom Team

    Ron Kapala (Photographer/Volunteer)

    Tom Coyne (Photographer/Volunteer)

    Delane Strohmeyer (Trail Maps/USDA: Forest Service)

    Siobhan Solkowski-Peacy (Writer, Narrator, Photographer & STQRY Developmental Co-ordinator/USDA: Forest Service)