Volo Bog State Natural Area

Volo Bog is a nature reserve in Illinois featuring a large quaking bog of sphagnum moss surrounded by cattails and sedges, with a central water pool at its core. Two trails of different lengths allow visitors to explore both the bog itself and the surrounding wetlands and meadow habitats.

The bog began forming around 6,000 years ago when sphagnum moss expanded into a glacial lake created by melting ice during the Wisconsin ice age. This gradual transformation of water into peat moss created a living record of the region's post-glacial landscape.

The site takes its name from the sphagnum moss that dominates the landscape and draws people to walk its pathways. Local groups use this place as a gathering point to teach others about wetland ecosystems and their importance.

The site is accessed via elevated boardwalks that protect the fragile bog surface while allowing visitors to see the ecosystem up close. Longer loops circle the surrounding wetlands and meadows, so visitors can choose routes based on their time and interest level.

The bog supports carnivorous pitcher plants and rare orchids adapted to the acidic conditions created by sphagnum moss, alongside tamarack trees rarely found elsewhere in the region. These specialized plants make the place home to species that seem out of place in Illinois.

Location: Lake County

GPS coordinates: 42.35170,-88.18610

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40