Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve

"About five years ago there was a nice long grass trail through the entire park. Then suddenly they were all gone and now just a short loop near the entrance. In fact you can't even reach the old dunes area anymore. So sad it's not been maintained by the forest preserve. I implore them to get that trail back open again! Otherwise it's really not worth anyone's time to get there. The Forest Preserve claims it wasn't a trail but a fire break, but that's not true at all. This was a non-groomed trail around the entire circumference of the park. For some reason they simply decided not to keep it accessible and make claims that they never did. FALSE! THEY DID!"

"The Braidwood Dunes is a very special ecological preserve of Will County. It is an entirely different ecosystem than the surrounding black soil prairies, and the geology of the area is the key. As implied in the name, the sand dunes are remnants of ice age glacial deposits, resulting in a very different drainage system and soil moisture level. Consequently, there ate animals and plants which exist here but not in surrounding areas. Six lined racerunner lizards, prickly pear cactus, and ornate box turtles are examples. The hiking trails bring you into the prairie and Savannah of oaks, and sassafras."

"This is a beautiful nature preserve, with a well maintained trail. The sand dunes appear to be overgrown, but the cornucopia of plant life is worth checking out! Great place for a quiet nature walk."

"Wished there were more signage for the trails and maintainence. Love the mixed of prairie and marsh and woodland habitats."

"Nice trails for walking, running and biking. It is mostly fields with a short jaunt of woods. I didn't see water but I didn't cover all of the trails. Very few people there but plenty of fresh air!"