River Road Seedbeds
Like most of Illinois, very little of Midewin consists of natural prairie – less than 200 acres, scattered in little remnants across the site. To restore the remainder of Midewin to tallgrass prairie and other native habitats (nearly 20,000 acres) will take considerable time and plant materials, including seed.
Three seedbeds, at the Supervisor’s Office, River Road and Chicago Road, provide the native plant seeds from over 100 species of prairie plants to help restore Midewin with native plants.
River Road: There is a parking area available near these seedbeds, located north of River Road along Boathouse Road. This is a wetland species seedbed.
Although some types of wild seed are available from specialized native plant nurseries, many are not. That’s one major purpose of Midewin’s three native seed production gardens -- to produce seeds of native grasses and wildflowers that we cannot get from other sources. Many of these plant species are not commercially available, or if available, not in the amounts we need to restore prairie to Midewin. Even with our own production of seed and plants, it will still take many decades to restore much of the native habitats to Midewin.
General Information
January 1 - December 31
4am-10pm
No
This is not a fee site.
Address: 30239 S. State Route 53 Wilmington, IL 60481
Phone: 815-423-6370
Hours: May 2 to November 5: Mon - Sat, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | November to April: Mon - Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Trails: year-round, Mon - Sun, 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 41.340093
Longitude: -88.171635
Directions
From the Welcome Center
- Turn left/south onto Route 53
- Travel south for 1 mile to River Road.
- Turn right/west onto River Road.
- Travel west on River Road for 2.2 miles.
- Turn right/north onto Boathouse Road.
- Follow the gravel driveway to the 2nd parking lot at the end of the gated road.
From I-55
- Take Exit 241 for North River Road
- Turn left/east North River Road.
- Travel 2 miles on North River Road
- Turn left onto Boathouse Road.
- Follow the gravel driveway to the 2nd parking lot at the end of the gated road.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Picnic tables at the River Road Seedbeds are situated around a large shade tree in the middle of the rows of native plants.
No. of Sites: 6
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Single Info
Picnic tables at the River Road Seedbeds are situated around a large shade tree in the middle of the rows of native plants.
No. of Sites: 6
Viewing Plants Info
This is Midewin's largest area for producing seed for prairie restoration.
Viewing Scenery Info
The River Road Seedbeds provide an opportunity to see many of the native plants that are being restored at Midewin. As you walk along the rows of plants you can see the woodland area in the distance.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Interpretive Areas/Exhibits Info
The River Road Seedbeds is often used as an outdoor learning site for large groups. Forest Service staff leads programs to interpret the site. To assist with outdoor learning for smaller groups or individuals there are two interpretive signs at the seedbed.
Viewing Wildlife Info
The Native Seedbeds are home to many different pollinators and arachnids that benefit from the diversity of plants life. In the winter months raptors use the seedbed as hunting grounds for small rodents.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Day Hikes Info
Adjacent to River Road Trailhead, the River Road Seedbeds offers opportunities to hike up and down rows of native plants in bloom during spring, summer, and fall. Hikers can easily access the River Road Trailhead from the seedbed.
Fire Information: No campfires allowed
Difficulty Level: Easy