Belmont Prairie

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Parks

Illinois

Nearby: Belmont & Curtiss Park Arbor View Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Belmont Prairie is a nature preserve located in Downers Grove, Illinois.

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Summary

The prairie encompasses 10 acres of land and is home to a wide variety of native plant and animal species. There are several good reasons to visit Belmont Prairie, including its natural beauty, educational opportunities, and recreational activities.

Some specific points of interest to see at Belmont Prairie include the blooming wildflowers, various grasses, and other plant species. The prairie is also home to several species of birds, including the bobolink and grasshopper sparrow. Visitors may also spot reptiles and amphibians, such as the eastern garter snake and grey tree frog.

Interesting facts about the area include that the prairie was once part of a larger network of prairies that covered much of the Midwest. The prairie was also home to several Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi and Miami. In the 1800s, the area was used for farming and grazing, but today it is protected as a nature preserve.

The best time of year to visit Belmont Prairie is during the summer months when the wildflowers are in bloom and the prairie is teeming with life. However, visitors can enjoy the preserve year-round and participate in activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.

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