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Trout Hollow Hill Prairie
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Monroe County, IL | 15 Acres
Type: Natural Area
Owned by: HeartLands Conservancy
Our role: With less than 1% of Illinois prairies remaining, HeartLands Conservancy acquired property in 2024. We own and manage this property for wildlife habitat and are actively restoring the prairie.
Funding support to purchase the property was made possible thanks to the MySun Charitable Foundation and over 850 people worldwide who contributed to save the previously unprotected prairie. (Learn more about the effort to save it here.)
Hours: We host periodic tours of the area. The property doesn’t yet contain trails for general public access given its sensitive wildlife habitat. Public access is currently being planned.
Location & Directions
At Trout Hollow & Bluff Roads, Waterloo, IL
Trout Hollow Road, Waterloo, IL 62298
Trails & Facilities
Because the property is under restoration and is sensitive wildlife habitat, this site is currently only available for tours. We host periodic tours and announce them through our eNewsletter (you can sign up here). There are no trails, facilities, or parking areas available at this location.
[We are actively raising funds to support habitat, public access, and unpaved trails. If you’re interested, you can help the habitat and access here.]
However, there are trails located nearby at Salt Lick Point Land & Water Reserve, owned by the Village of Valmeyer.
Wildlife & Habitat
Trout Hollow Hill Prairie includes rare hill prairie and limestone glade habitat. Less than 600 acres of this habitat remains in the state.
You’ll find limestone cliffs, a prairie and forest habitat, and unique plants and wildlife at Trout Hollow.
Plants of interest include hoary puccoon, chinkapin oak trees, crested coralroot orchids, and big bluestem.
Depending on the season, you may be able to see a variety of birds and other wildlife.
Prairie, forest, and migratory birds, such as pewees, pileated woodpeckers, and vireos have been observed here.
The hill prairie corridor is also home to other wildlife, including badgers, foxes, bobcats, and deer.
Regulations
The property is only accessible through guided walks hosted by the HeartLands Conservancy.
As a community-supported conservation organization, your support is important to foster the love of the land, care for the lands we own, and protect additional properties. We therefore want you to know that when you participate in our programs or visit our properties, you do so recognizing that we may use photographs or videos of program participants for educational and promotional use. By visiting our properties, you therefore acknowledge this possibility and convey consent.
Photo: Trout Hollow in 2024 by Shane Kellogg
Overview
Trout Hollow Hill Prairie
The Trout Hollow Hill Prairie protects one of the rarest habitats in Illinois – a hill prairie. These hilltop grasslands are home to a unique wildlife, including pollinators, prairie birds, and the elusive badger.
Prairies once covered two-thirds of Illinois. Today, less than 1% of original prairie is left. Along with the loss of prairies came loss and decline of many wildlife that relied on prairie habitat for food, nesting ground, and shelter. American badgers are one example. Once largely disappeared from the state due to habitat loss and human persecution. The recent discovery of a burrow on the property is a hopeful sign that protecting these habitats provides hope for these animals.
By conserving this rare and ecologically rich landscape, we’re not only protecting habitat—we’re ensuring that future generations can connect with the rare beauty of the Illinois prairie and the wildlife it sustains.
From the prairie, you can see sweeping views of the rich farmland of the Mississippi River Valley and the stunning bluffs and forests around it.
You can support badger habitat and public access at Trout Hollow Hill Prairie
Habitat restoration and trails won’t happen without support from the community. We’re currently raising funds to support critical prairie restoration and public access needs at this property. If you’re interested, click the button below to learn more.
If you would like to find out more about how to create a new public conservation area and conserve wildlife habitat, feel free to call Anna McAtee at (618) 566-4451 ex 23 or email her at an*********@*******************cy.org.
You may find information on our Land Conservation page and Ways to Give page helpful, too.