Outdoors & Recreation State Parks, Preserves, & Forests

Franklin Creek State Natural Area

Franklin Grove, IL - Lee County

Address:

  • 1872 Twist Road
  • Franklin Grove, IL, 61031
Get Directions

Details

This 992-acre nature preserve and park offer a variety of recreational opportunities: hiking (4.5 miles of trails), an equestrian area that includes an outdoor show area, snowmobile, cross-country skiing trails, fishing, hunting, picnic shelters, areas, and the Franklin Creek Grist Mill. 

Franklin Creek Nature Preserve contains upland and ravine forests, permanent streams, large springs, and bedrock outcroppings of the Oregon Section of the Rock River Hill Country Natural Division. The gorge area is highly scenic and rich in natural and historical features. The north-facing slope overlooking Franklin Creek is dotted with a mesic forest of sugar maple and basswood. Forest interior birds, such as the pileated woodpecker, use this critical habitat for breeding. The seeps and springs support unusual plant life, such as skunk cabbage, wild black currant, and swamp rose. Sheltered cliffs provide habitat for Canada yew, bulblet fern, smooth cliff brake, and downy arrowwood. Outcroppings along Franklin Creek are from the New Richmond Sandstone Formation, the oldest exposed formation in the state. Mill Spring, which once served as a mill’s water source, is located just northeast of the preserve.

In 1981, local people in Franklin Grove organized the Franklin Grove Park and Preserve Committee. The committee has undertaken the management of the area in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, including the development of picnic and recreation areas outside the preserve

check out this video from the DNR –

 

You’ll love this energetic tribute to 🎵 #JohnnyCash! Close your eyes, and you’ll think that the Man in Black himself is performing. Coming to @whitepines_resort Oct. 11-12.
Woot! @SelmiFarm in #RockFallsIL is the place to be to enjoy the 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗷𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 🪓🌲 & 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 🧔 on Oct. 7. Sounds like a blast!  FIND SHOW TIMES 👉  at link in bio, under EVENTS.
#nailsofinstagram #nailsofinstagram #nwillinoisirl
Feel like taking a walk on the dark side? Kidding. The 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲 at Jarrett Prairie Center in #ByronIL will be lit by the moon! Held 9/30 & 10/28. #free but registration is required. Get info at link in bio, under EVENTS.
Get ready to 🎸 Rock out at #TheHairBandNight concert at @TLPlayhouse Oct. 7! Relive the epic vibes & wild hairdos from the golden era of rock 🤘🔥 #HairBandConcert #RockNRollNostalgia 👉 This is a one-night only event. Get tix info at our bio link under EVENTS.
Be 👸 👑 king or queen for the day on October 🍁🍁🍁 weekends at @HavencrestCastle in #SavannaIL! First tour is Oct. 1! Go to link in bio under EVENTS for details.

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