Hiking and Birding at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, Illinois

Hiking and Birding at Midewin  National Tallgrass Prairie  in Wilmington, Illinois

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, IL welcomes visitors to a nature haven teeming with wildlife and great expanses for exploration. The preserve inhabits land formerly housing the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant and represents an incredible ongoing environmental restoration effort.

The dirt trail beckons us forward at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

We visited  Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie for the first time last spring. Immediately upon reaching the trailhead, we found the preserve to be chirping with birds. I knew that we would have a wonderful day of viewing wildlife! The tallgrass prairie provides critical habitat for many plants and animals native to Illinois including those that are endangered.

A lone tree captivates during a stretch of our hike at Midewin.

A Brief History of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Midewin has a history that reaches back centuries. The prairie once was home to at least seven different Native American cultures. Initially, inhabitants relied on hunting and gathering. However, summer agricultural villages eventually formed. Artifacts have been found and continue to be found at Midewin teaching us about former indigenous inhabitants. The name Midewin itself derives from a Potowatomi word referring to the tribe's healer.

Eventually, European and American settlers arrived in the region setting off conflict with Native Americans. After the Blackhawk War, Native Americans were tragically displaced from the region. The new inhabitants would include farmers. Farm sites would eventually be acquired by the US government in order to form the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. The plant started manufacturing during WWII and continued operating until the late 1970s. 

Land transfer of the former ammunitions plant to the US Forest Service began in 1997 creating Midewin. Land continues to be transferred as the harsh chemicals are cleaned up and remediated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. This year, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is celebrating an incredible 25 years of restoring Illinois prairie!

  Wildlife Thrives at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Midewin has been home to a herd of bison since 2015. Visitors can scout for bison on the pastureland of the preserve. However, the pastureland is quite vast so you may or may not see bison. I recommend bringing binoculars on your visit. We did hike to the overlook area to try to spot the bison. While we did not spot the bison, we did spot a coyote making its way to a creek for a drink. 

The bison will help maintain the grassland and keep flora and fauna thriving through their movements and grazing. If the Welcome Center is open during your visit, popping in and talking to a ranger may help you locate the bison if they are within a field of view. Additionally, a stop at the Welcome Center gives an opportunity to learn more about bison and pick up bison boxes for more education during your nature adventure.

An Eastern kingbird pauses on a fence at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

During our May hike, we spotted a wealth of birds including Eastern kingbirds, song sparrows, dickcissels, red-winged blackbirds, swallows, robins, bobolinks and more. Truly impressive! Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie provides a variety of birds with vital breeding grounds. Additionally, Midewin presents a crucial resting spot for birds during spring and fall migration. So, any visit invites explorers to discover a wide variety of birds! Trails were very easy to navigate while hiking at Midewin. We truly had something to observe throughout our entire hike -- delighting in wildflowers while spotting birds. 

We were surprised to encounter other habitats in addition to the prairie including wetlands, streams, and tree groves. Overall, we found our visit to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie a welcome nature experience encouraging us to learn more about flora, fauna, vital habitats, and even our role in preservation. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is a globally renowned prairie restoration effort. We look forward to returning as the preserve continues to thrive and further restore the native prairie.