Rollins Savanna

One of Lake County's largest forest preserves and restoration projects, Rollins Savanna offers the perfect setting for grassland birds, waterfowl and other wildlife.

Trails

A 7.75-mile gravel trail with bridges and boardwalks winds through wetlands, groves of large oaks and open prairies teeming with wildflowers and native grasses.

The trail is open for hiking, bicycling and cross-country skiing. Trails here connect to our regional Millennium Trail, and to the Grayslake Bike Path and Prairie Crossing Trail.

In partnership with the Village of Gurnee, we extended the existing trail system in the northeast part of Rollins Savanna to Route 45 and Dada Drive to provide a safe crossing for trails users and connection to the Millennium Trail so visitors can expand their experience.

Please keep dogs leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. Learn about our Off-Leash Dog Areas (permit required).

Native Seed Nursery

Rare and hard-to-collect native seeds are carefully grown and processed here. The nursery gives our ecologists access to rare species that are cost prohibitive from the commercial seed industry or are otherwise unavailable.

We use the plants grown here to restore native habitat through the preserves.

Volunteer opportunities are often available at the nursery. Learn how to become a volunteer.

Bird Observation Area

Located a short walk from the Drury Lane parking lot, a trail provides access to a raised platform with an expansive view of the restored grassland and wetland here.

This is a birdwatching hot spot. Bring your own binoculars or use the magnified viewing scopes provided. Learn more »

Activities

Biking
Cross-Country Skiing
Exhibits
Hike Lake County Challenge
Hiking
Self-Guided Trails & Exhibits
Summer Camps

Amenities

Drinking Water
Flush Toilets
Public Parking
Trails

More About This Preserve

The Natural Scene

Unique to Rollins Savanna is its large size, uninterrupted by roads and development, and its existing diverse natural resource features. Rich black soils found at this preserve once dominated Midwestern landscape in the 1800s. The preserve protects the south fork of Mill Creek, frontage on Third Lake, and large interior wetland complexes that provide needed food sources and rest stops for ruddy ducks, blue-winged teal, great blue herons, egrets and a variety of waterfowl species. Grassland birds, waterfowl and other wildlife are drawn to the site’s oak savannas and expansive prairies and wetlands.

Extensive habitat restoration efforts were completed along the Mill Creek corridor and on over 200 acres of wetlands. One of the project goals is to establish Rollins Savanna as an ecological research site and outdoor classroom for local universities, schools and other organizations.

History

Rollins Savanna was acquired in phases between 1988 and 1993. Extensive work to renovate this unique preserve to restore its valuable ecosystems and provide outdoor recreation and nature and history education opportunities was completed in 2004.

Our natural resource crews and project partners restored this unique preserve to enhance its valuable ecosystems. More than 450 acres of former farmland were restored as part of a massive habitat restoration and preservation project here, representing the largest restoration effort we've ever undertaken.

Location

The main entrance is located on Washington Street at Atkinson Road, just west of Route 45 and east of Route 83. A second entrance is located to the north on Drury Lane.