Bartel Grassland Land And Water Reserve
Rate this placeNearby: Alleymong Park Wulf Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bartel Grassland Land and Water Reserve is a natural area located in the state of Illinois known for its diverse wildlife and unique grassland habitats.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
This 3,600-acre preserve is home to over 300 species of animals and plants, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.
Some of the best reasons to visit Bartel Grassland Land and Water Reserve include its scenic beauty, educational opportunities, and recreational activities. The reserve offers several hiking trails, bird-watching areas, and picnic spots for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, the area is home to numerous rare and endangered species, such as the bobolink and the Henslow's sparrow, making it an ideal location for wildlife watching and conservation efforts.
Specific points of interest in the reserve include the grasslands themselves, which are teeming with prairie plants and animals, as well as the wetlands and ponds that are home to a variety of amphibians and waterfowl. Visitors can also explore the forested areas of the reserve, which are home to several species of birds and mammals.
Interesting facts about Bartel Grassland Land and Water Reserve include its history as a former airport and its designation as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1974. In addition, the reserve is home to several rare plant species, such as the prairie white-fringed orchid and the eastern prairie fringed orchid.
The best time of year to visit Bartel Grassland Land and Water Reserve is during the spring and summer months, when the grasslands are in full bloom and the wildlife is most active. However, the reserve is open year-round and offers unique experiences, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Alleymong Park
Wulf Park
Marycrest Park
Tierra Grande Park
Tolentine Park
Monee Reservoir
Tampier Lake
Green Lake