Enjoy it while visiting Joliet in Illinois
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie occupies land that was once part of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, a massive military facility that produced TNT and artillery shells during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The plant covered more than 23,500 acres, making it one of the largest munitions manufacturing sites in the United States. After the facility closed in the late 1970s, local conservationists and federal agencies worked together to transfer the land to the U.S. Forest Service in 1996.
The name Midewin comes from the Potawatomi word for healing, chosen to honor the Native American heritage of the region and to reflect the ecological restoration mission of the preserve. The Potawatomi, along with other indigenous peoples, once hunted and gathered across these prairies for thousands of years before European settlement. Today, Midewin represents the first national tallgrass prairie in the country, dedicated to restoring one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America.
The restoration process required extensive environmental cleanup, including the removal of more than 400 bunkers, miles of concrete roads, and buried pipelines that once supported the arsenal operations. Volunteers and restoration ecologists have planted native grasses and wildflowers across thousands of acres, slowly transforming the landscape back to its pre-settlement character. The project stands as one of the largest prairie restoration efforts ever attempted in the Midwest.
Visitors can explore over 34 miles of trails winding through restored prairies, oak savannas, and wetlands, with routes suitable for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. The Bison Viewing Trailheads offer the best opportunity to spot the American bison herd that was reintroduced to the prairie in 2015, marking the first time wild bison roamed this landscape in nearly 200 years. Rangers lead guided hikes and educational programs throughout the year, covering topics from native plant identification to the history of the ammunition plant.
Birdwatchers flock to Midewin for sightings of grassland birds like the Henslow’s sparrow, dickcissel, and eastern meadowlark, species that have declined sharply across the Midwest due to habitat loss. The Iron Bridge Trailhead connects to the Wauponsee Glacial Trail, a regional trail system that links Midewin to nearby communities and the I&M Canal State Trail. For a unique experience, visitors can explore the former ammunition bunkers that have been preserved as part of the site’s military heritage tour.
The Henslow Trail loops through some of the oldest restored prairie sections, where big bluestem and Indian grass tower above six feet tall by late summer, creating a sea of waving grasses. Anglers can cast for bass and bluegill in the restored wetlands and ponds scattered across the property, though catch-and-release practices are encouraged. The Twin Oaks Trail passes through a rare oak savanna habitat, where centuries-old bur oaks spread their branches above a carpet of native wildflowers.
Equestrians have access to dedicated horse trails and a staging area, making Midewin one of the few public lands in northeastern Illinois where horseback riding is permitted. The Prairie Creek Woods section offers shaded trails through mature woodlands that provide welcome relief on hot summer days. During winter, the trails remain open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, when the prairie takes on a quiet and stark beauty.
The Midewin Welcome Center provides interpretive exhibits about the prairie ecosystem, the site’s military history, and the ongoing restoration projects. A volunteer seed nursery demonstrates how native plant seeds are collected, processed, and replanted to accelerate the prairie recovery. The preserved munitions bunkers along the Group 63 Trail offer a sobering glimpse into the Cold War era, with informational panels explaining the arsenal’s role in national defense.
Photographers appreciate the dramatic sunsets over the open prairie, particularly in late summer when purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and compass plants bloom in abundance. The bison viewing area features elevated observation platforms and interpretive signs explaining the ecological importance of bison as a keystone species. Seasonal wildflower walks led by volunteer naturalists help visitors identify the more than 600 native plant species documented at Midewin.
Summer brings the prairie to life with towering grasses and peak wildflower displays, though visitors should bring water and sun protection for the exposed trails. Spring offers migrating bird activity and the first blooms of shooting stars and prairie violets, along with pleasant temperatures for longer hikes. Fall transforms the landscape with golden grasses and autumn color in the oak savannas, making it a favorite season for photographers and cyclists. Winter provides solitude and excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing and wildlife tracking in the snow, and the bison herd is visible year-round though they tend to move to more sheltered areas during extreme cold. Early morning visits in any season reward birdwatchers with active songbird activity, while late afternoon provides the most dramatic light for landscape photography.