The DuPage area is home to many natural areas that are rich in native flora which support a wide diversity of wildlife. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is a good place to start. The list below includes some located in the forest preserves as well as other notable sites within DuPage and surrounding areas. Please check for hours before you visit.
DuPage county:
- Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove
- Brewster Creek Marsh Nature Preserve in Bartlett
- Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton
- Dunham Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne
- Fermilab Tallgrass Prairie in Batavia
- Russell R. Kirt Prairie (College of DuPage) in Glen Ellyn
- Schulenberg Prairie (Morton Arboretum) in Lisle
- Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville
- Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien
- West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago
Surrounding areas:
- Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin
- Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area in Morris
- Illinois Beach State Park in Zion
- James Woodworth Prairie Preserve (University of Illinois) in Glenview
- Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (USDA Forest Service) in Wilmington
- Nachusa Grasslands (The Nature Conservancy) in Franklin Grove
- Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside
- Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve in Westchester