Burnham Prairie

a large expanse of wetlands at Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve

Thanks to major restoration efforts, Burnham Prairie’s mix of marsh, wet sand prairie and savanna create attractive breeding grounds for marsh birds—and a serene spot for birders.

On this page:


Locations & Things to Do

Burnham Prairie

Things to Do & Amenities

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve

Things to Do & Amenities

  1. 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 Sunset

Closures & Alerts


a painted turtle on a log at Burham Prairie
A painted turtle at Burnham Prairie.

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.

Within Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve’s emergent wetland and marshes, remnant populations of American reed, bur reed, and mermaid weed abound. Though small, Burnham Prairie’s sedge meadow is highly diverse, boasting strong remnant populations of plant species including tussock sedge, blue-joint grass and chairmaker’s rush.

The Forest Preserves worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers to build an earthen berm to prevent polluted stormwater from entering the wetlands. Ongoing invasive species control, including prescribed burns, protects the native plants that help these marsh birds thrive.