Outside Stuff on Illinois' Route 66-- Part 3: Rock Run and Midewin Prairie

In case you get tired of riding in the car and want to stretch your legs.

ROCK RUN PRESERVE

3669 Black Road, Joliet

Explore Illinois as it was centuries ago at Rock Run Preserve, a wetland with direct access to the Illinois & Michigan Canal.  Conveniently located just outside Joliet, the park is a major destination for those looking to picnic, fish, hike and bike a rambling 329-acre site.

You'll find a diverse natural habitat featuring wetlands, prairie and forest landscapes open to the public year round.

**************************************

MIDEWIN NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE

30239 S. Illinois Route 53 Route 66) , Wilmington

Known as "The Largest Prairie Restoration Site East of the Mississippi River," the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is also the single largest open space in Illinois.

It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, and recognized as a U.S. National Grassland.  Bison were reintroduced on October 2015, making the gorgeous plot of prairie even more authentic.

They have nature talks and guided car tours.

--RoadDog