Funks Grove Nature Spaces

Funks Grove Nature Spaces It is prohibited for vehicles to be in the parking lot past closure or overnight. Opening and closing times change with the seasons. Department of Interior.

Funks Grove Nature Spaces serves as an access point to over 8 miles of trails within more than 1,100 acres of natural area that have been protected through the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and conservation easement. Nature Spaces Hours:

February – March Wednesday- Sunday 8 AM – 5 PM

April – October Wednesday – Sunday 8 AM – 7 PM

November Wednesday- Sunday 8 AM – 5 PM


December – January Closed

Office Hours/Bird Room Hours:

Wednesday – Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM

The Nature Spaces gate closes automatically and promptly at the posted time. We will update these times as they change throughout the year. Funks Grove is the largest remaining intact prairie grove in the state of Illinois. Portions of Funks Grove have been designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Through a unique partnership between the Funks Grove Cemetery Association, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Sugar Grove Foundation, over 1,100 acres of natural area have been protected through the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and conservation easements. The Nature Spaces serve as an access point to over 8 miles of trails within these beautiful privately owned properties. Our purpose is to provide visitors with a wonderful experience while preserving the features of this incredible natural area. Help us maintain the special qualities of Funks Grove by observing some guidelines. These guidelines allow everyone to enjoy nature without disturbing the plants and animals that live here. Do Not Litter! Pack out what you bring in. There are garbage cans near the restrooms and in the picnic shelter. Trails are for foot traffic only. No bicycles or ATVs on trails. Bike racks are provided. Stay on designated trails. Do not travel on unmarked or deer trails
Leashed pets are welcome! Please clean up after your pet and keep them on a leash. No Fires unless scheduled and supervised by staff. No Alcohol or Drugs. Admission to the Nature Spaces is Free. Please consider a donation to Sugar Grove Foundation. Sugar Grove Foundation works hard to preserve, protect, and enhance these beautiful natural Illinois areas. Please Note
This is private property and security cameras are in use. The area is monitored by Staff and patrolled by the local Sheriff's Department. Please alert staff to any areas needing attention.

05/24/2026

Happy Memorial Day!

Although we are not usually open on Mondays, we have decided to open the gates for the holiday!

The Funks Grove Nature Spaces gates will open at 8 AM on Memorial Day and close at 7 PM. 

We hope you have lots of fun and enjoy your day! 

05/07/2026

Please Be Advised:
The Funks Grove Nature Spaces Office will be closed Saturday, May 9, 2026.
The Gates will remain open as usual.

04/19/2026
04/14/2026
04/14/2026

PUBLIC VIEWING SESSION THIS SATURDAY
APRIL 18, 2026 @ 8:15 p.m.
Funks Grove Nature Spaces

The TCAA’s first public viewing session of 2026 will be held Saturday evening, April 18, beginning at 8:15 p.m. The presentation to start off the evening will focus on the Lyrid Meteor Shower: What are meteor showers, and how do we know when they occur? Come learn when, where, and how to observe them.

If the sky is tolerably clear, the lecture will be followed by a laser-mediated sky lecture during which we will point out Jupiter and the brighter winter constellations. The evening will conclude with telescope observations of the heavens.

For the first time in several years, we will be bringing back opportunities for kids to take images of celestial objects using our automated B&W and color imaging systems. We will show that it’s simple enough that even kids can do it! Adults wishing to gain access to and learn to use these telescopes are encouraged to join the TCAA.

Details about our 2026 public viewing sessions are available in the brochure linked below.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4osc8reh4ho2gee3x1l4c/2026-PVS-brochure.pdf?rlkey=fnga1c12m3vtt3w1fg89wgkib&st=pt25cldc&dl=0

04/14/2026

For those of you waiting for the Virginia bluebells,
They have arrived! 

The Gate hours will extend to 7pm tomorrow, April 1, 2026!Here is our year round gate schedule.
03/31/2026

The Gate hours will extend to 7pm tomorrow, April 1, 2026!

Here is our year round gate schedule.

03/28/2026

Attention:

Funks Grove Nature Spaces and the surrounding trails will be closed on Saturday, March 28th. McLean County Emergency Management Agency will be conducting search and rescue training on the premises. We request that the general public refrain from entering the nature spaces campus and the surrounding areas to ensure the success of the training.

Thank you.

11/29/2025

The nature spaces will be closed today and tomorrow due to weather and some other unforeseen circumstances.

This weekend was supposed to wrap up our year before we went into our two month gate closure during December and January. 

This means that our 2025 season is over and the gates will not open again until February 1, 2026.

We want to thank everyone who came out to enjoy these beautiful areas in 2025. We wish you all happy holidays and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026. 

Address

4532 N 725 East Road
McLean, IL
61754

Opening Hours

Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+13098742853

Website

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