Chiwaukee Prairie

Chiwaukee Prairie is a protected natural area with grasslands, wetlands, wooded sections, and sand dunes along Lake Michigan at the Wisconsin-Illinois border. The property spans about 485 acres and contains over 400 plant species and roughly 75 bird species.

The land formed roughly 10000 years ago when Lake Michigan water receded and left behind sandy ridges. This natural process created the grassland and dune landscape that exists today.

This place supports rare plants and birds that have thrived here for thousands of years. Visitors walking through can see why local groups work to protect these species from disappearing.

The site has informal trails that let visitors walk through the different habitats on foot. Wear sturdy shoes and watch for wet areas, especially during wetter seasons.

This is the last intact stretch of coastal prairie left in Wisconsin and holds 26 plant species found nowhere else or rarely in the state. Visitors witness ecosystems that have nearly vanished from the rest of the region.