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White Rock Nature Preserve
Monroe County, IL | 475 acres
Type: Natural Area
Owned by: Clifftop
Our role: With less than 1% of prairies remaining in Illinois, HeartLands Conservancy and Clifftop jointly acquired 475 acres of rare hill prairies and forest in the bluffs in Monroe County, Illinois, in 2010. In 2021, HeartLands Conservancy transferred its half ownership of White Rock to Clifftop for permanent protection and stewardship.
Funding for the original acquisition was provided by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, a State Wildlife Grant from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Grand Victoria Foundation.
Location & Directions
Located just south of Valmeyer, IL on Bluff Road.
Trails & Facilities
The preserve features a 1.7 mile out and back trail that ascends the bluffs and looks out over the American Bottom. Trail map »
To access the trail, from the parking area, travel north on Bluff Road and turning right onto the private driveway. The trail will continue past the gate to the right and up the bluff. The driveway is shared with other private properties, so please be respectful of private property in the area.
Tables and seating are available at Madeleine’s Rest, halfway up the bluff. There are no restrooms available.
Wildlife & Habitat
White Rock Nature Preserve contains a mosaic of hill prairies and limestone glades , bluffs, and a large swath of upland forest.
Plants of interest include tall bellflower, red columbine, hairy woodmint, asters, and mature oaks.
Depending on the season, you may be able to see a variety of birds, such as wild turkeys, bald eagles, northern flickers, and eastern towhees. White-tailed deer, bobcats, a variety of reptiles, and butterflies may be seen here depending on the season.
Regulations
Open sunrise to sunset 7 days a week, unless posted otherwise.
While we love our furry friends, Dogs are not typically allowed in Illinois Nature Preserve properties because of the impacts to local wildlife (i.e., scents, sounds can affect certain animals). Check the signs on site before bringing a dog.
Tom Rollins
Overview
White Rock Nature Preserve
White Rock contains a mosaic of hill prairies, limestone glades, and upland forest. The preserve is home to a variety of wildlife from raptors, reptiles, and the elusive bobcat.
Once prominent in Illinois, bobcats had nearly disappeared from the state. These reclusive, nocturnal carnivores prefer wooded habitats and need lands that support their primary food of rabbits, squirrels, and small rodents. The recent rebound of the bobcat population in Illinois is a hopeful sign that when we care for the land and water, nature responds.
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 southern Illinois prairies and bluffs and the wildlife it sustains.
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.