Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival
Sat, Sep 20 , 2025 • 10:00am - 4:00pm
2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Experience bison, birds, and prairie adventures at the Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival on Sept. 20, with guided tours, family activities, and a chance to explore one of Illinois’ most unique natural preserves.
Discover the wild side of autumn at the Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival. The Nature Conservancy’s 4,000-acre preserve is home to rare plants, diverse wildlife, and a free-ranging herd of more than 100 bison.
Festivalgoers can enjoy wagon rides through the prairie searching for bison, guided hikes at the Visitor Center, and a dozen steward-led tours highlighting the preserve’s most scenic spots. Expect to see sandstone formations, autumn wildflowers, quiet hideaways, and native wildlife. Families will also find hands-on fun with the Discovery Tent, face painting, and the Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education program featuring live birds of prey.
Gates open at 10 a.m. Parking is $5 per car. Donations will be accepted at the Welcome Pavilion and Bison Tours Tent. Whether you come for the bison, the blooms, or simply the chance to slow down in nature, the festival offers a memorable way to connect with the land. Food and beverages will be available from an on-site food truck, and the event takes place rain or shine.
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