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Locations & Things to Do
Burnham Prairie
Entrance
E 139th St & S Manistee Ave
Burnham, IL 60633
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- No Fishing
- Birding Hotspot
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve
Location
Burnham, IL 60633
Things to Do & Amenities
- No Parking
- No Fishing
- Birding Hotspot
- No Dogs
- Service dogs are allowed at most public locations. View accessibility policies.
Illinois Nature Preserve: This land is designated as one of the highest quality natural areas in the state by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. This status includes increased levels of legal protection and management. Learn more on the Illinois Nature Preserves Page.
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
Nature Notes
The wetlands at Burnham Prairie are attractive breeding grounds for marsh birds, including common gallinule, Virginia rail and American bittern. Restoration efforts here focus on protecting the mix of marsh, wet sand prairie and savanna that keeps these birds coming back to raise their young.
The Forest Preserves worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers to build an earthen berm to prevent polluted stormwater from entering the wetlands. And ongoing invasive species control, including prescribed burns, protect the native plants that help these marsh birds thrive.