Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve — Attraction in Illinois

Trail is a overgrown but you can see it. Some of the grass/plants came up to chest height. I didn't mind it at all.

Trail goes up starting with steps, evens out, and then goes downhill rather steep. Be careful on the downhill it is rock and you can trip. It is marked every .1 mile.

Do not follow the tape markers or you'll get lost. Met a family that went off the trail with little water and couldn't find their way back. Luckily they were talking loud.

Bring water, tick spray, and mosquito spray.

I think the best time would be in the fall to go. Trees would be cleared and the foliage would be beautiful.

Definitely...

I hiked this trail with my 26 year old son and 75 year old mother based on the Very Easy rating from the “60 hikes within 60 miles of St. Louis” book. I don’t think those authors hiked this trail as the sign at the trailhead states the trail is rated “extreme.” My mom made it through the trail with several rests. I recommend you start the trail to the right with the stairs as the opposite trail side is full of lose rocks. Beautiful vistas overlooks the river valley! The state needs to clear a number of fallen trees along the trail too! Overall, a 4 out 5 rating and worth your time; not for novice...

There are over 200 stairs at the start of the trail to give you a bit of a workout! There are a number of places to stop and catch your breathe and look at the scenery.

Unfortunately, once you're at the top of the stairs, the trail is terribly overgrown. We meant to follow it and go all the way around, but we didn't want to pick up lots of ticks. From the parking lot, we could see that the end of the trail was also overgrown. It's sad that they don't take better care...