Carle Woods State Natural Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Carle Woods State Natural Area is a 79-acre natural area located in Champaign County, Illinois.
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Summary
The area is known for its rare and diverse plant and animal species, as well as its unique geological features.
One good reason to visit Carle Woods State Natural Area is to experience a peaceful and serene natural environment. The area is remote and relatively untouched, providing visitors with a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Some specific points of interest to see at Carle Woods State Natural Area include the large oak-hickory forest, the open fields of native prairie, and the several small ponds scattered throughout the area. Visitors may also be interested in viewing the rare and endangered plants and animals that can be found in the natural area, such as the prairie dock, smooth green snake, and ornate box turtle.
Interesting facts about Carle Woods State Natural Area include that it is named after the Carle Foundation, a non-profit healthcare organization that helped fund the acquisition of the land. Additionally, the area is home to one of the largest populations of the rare Liatris cylindracea plant in the state of Illinois.
The best time of year to visit Carle Woods State Natural Area is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the vegetation is at its most vibrant. However, visitors should be aware that the area is not well-maintained and may be difficult to navigate during certain times of the year, such as the summer when the vegetation is dense and overgrown.
Sources:
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Carle Woods State Natural Area
- The Nature Conservancy: Carle Woods and Busey Woods Natural Areas
- Illinois Audubon Society: Carle Woods State Natural Area
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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.
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