Park listing
Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area
5010 N. Jugtown Road, Morris, IL 60450
Review facilities, trailer fit, trails, weather, and the official reservation page before you commit to a trip.
Trip starter
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Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area
This listing is currently using verified trip data while licensed photography is being finalized.
Drive time
Set origin in search
Bathrooms
Restroom coverage on site
Trailer fit
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Weather
Sunny
Why this park
Facilities
Facility coverage needs a closer look on the official reservation page.
Trailer fit
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Activity mix
6 named routes are surfaced for hiking and activity planning.
About this park
Early settlers to Illinois, in an attempt to describe the unfamiliar terrain they were encountering, referred to it as "a sea of grass with pretty flowers." Today, Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area serves as testimony to the prairies that once covered nearly 60 percent of the state. Located in Grundy County, Goose Lake Prairie is approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago and one mile southwest of the confluence of the Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers.
Read full park description
Early settlers to Illinois, in an attempt to describe the unfamiliar terrain they were encountering, referred to it as "a sea of grass with pretty flowers." Today, Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area serves as testimony to the prairies that once covered nearly 60 percent of the state. Located in Grundy County, Goose Lake Prairie is approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago and one mile southwest of the confluence of the Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers. More than half of Goose Lake Prairie is a dedicated nature preserve, protected by law for future generations from any change to the natural environment. In addition to furnishing a look into Illinois' past, the prairie provides important nesting habitat for endangered or threatened birds, such as the Henslow's sparrow.
Campsite fit
Group-designated sites listed in park data: 2. Verify current group pricing, vehicle maximums, and campground rules on the official reservation page.
Group-site signal
No special group limitations surfaced in the current listing metadata.
Trailer and rig access
No trailer-capable sites are listed in source data for this park.
Fire rules
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Bathrooms and facilities
Trails and activities
6 named trail routes are surfaced here from 14 mapped source segments. Start with the featured routes, then expand the full list if this park stays on your shortlist.
Daryl Cole Trail Network
1.3 miles total • 8 mapped segments • grass • foot trail
Woodland Trail
0.6 miles total • woodchips • path
South Powerhouse Drive
0.6 miles total • track
View all trail routes
Fitness Loop
0.5 miles total • paved • path
Rock Run Greenway Trail
0.2 miles total • 2 mapped segments • natural and wood • path
boardwalk
0.1 miles total • foot trail
Weather context
Sunny
2026-03-09 • 72° / 54° • 2% precipitation
Sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
May
May avg: 72°F high, 53°F low, 11 rainy days
June
June avg: 81°F high, 62°F low, 10 rainy days
July
July avg: 85°F high, 67°F low, 9 rainy days
Safety and rules
No active alerts surfaced for the selected dates.
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Key rules and on-site notes
The current listing surfaces a short set of park rules worth checking before you finalize the trip.
Directions
From Chicago take I-55 south to Rte # 80 West to the Marseilles exit. Go south from the exit on LaSalle County Highway 15 through the town of Marseilles, across the Illinois River Bridge and the Park is the first left. From Bloomington/Normal area take Rte #39 North to Rte #80 E.
Contact
(815) 942-2899
Fire policy
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
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