State Parks and National Parks

The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, established in 1996, is the only national tallgrass prairie in the National Forest System.

Midewin, pronounced mih-DAY-win, is the Potawatomi name for its healing society. The name was chosen because through hard work and healing, this part of the former Joliet Arsenal will be restored to its native landscape.

Midewin remains largely closed to the public while the Army completes cleaning the contaminated remains from decades of explosives manufacturing and packaging.

Currently, more than 17,000 acres of the Arsenal have been transferred to Midewin, with 2,000 acres still in remediation. Only 3 percent of these transferred lands are native habitat, challenging the Forest Service with one of the largest restoration projects ever attempted.

Currently, workers are converting 1,500 acres of Midewin to prairie, wetland, or woodland habitats. Three native seed production gardens provide seeds for 80 species of prairie plants. Two of the native seed production gardens are open to the public, as well as an advanced restoration project.

About 6,400 acres of Midewin is currently open to the public, including 20 miles of interim hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding trails. Two Army bunker fields are open for exploration. More areas will open to the public as the cleanup is completed.

Midewin’s first permanent trail is under construction and will connect the east and west sides of the prairie through conversion of a rail overpass on Old Route 66.

The Wauponsee Glacial Trail borders Midewin’s eastern edge and provides access from the regional trail system throughout the Chicago area.

The Midewin Welcome Center, located two miles north of Wilmington on State Route 53/Old Route 66, offers interpretive exhibits and information about visiting the area.

Guided tours are scheduled on Saturdays. Many visit Midewin to volunteer in work projects to help restore the prairie, research the natural and cultural history of the site, or build trails.