Merritt Prairie Forest Preserve, DeKalb, IL

Merritt Prairie Forest Preserve covers 148 acres in southeastern DeKalb County and features a 1.2-mile loop trail that circles restored tallgrass prairie and oak savanna. The trail surface is crushed limestone, suitable for walking, jogging, and cross-country skiing. A small parking lot on Baseline Road provides direct access, and benches are located at three overlooks. The preserve is bordered on two sides by Kishwaukee River frontage, where anglers can fish for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Birders regularly observe sandhill cranes, Henslow’s sparrows, and bobolinks during spring and fall migrations. The preserve lies less than four miles from downtown DeKalb via Illinois Route 23, placing it within a ten-minute drive of grocery stores, medical clinics, and the DeKalb Public Library. Adjacent farm fields create an open skyline and unobstructed sunset views from the western edge of the property.

Location

City DeKalb

State Illinois

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