1872 Twist Rd

Franklin Grove, IL 61031

Franklin Creek State Natural Area is located between Rochelle and Dixon, just north of IL RTE 38. On IL RTE 38 on the west side of the small town of Franklin Grove, turn north on Daysville Road and go one block to Old Mill Road. Turn left (west) on Old Mi Low-lying areas along the creek bed support a bottomland forest dominated by silver maple and hackberry. Ravines support mesic upland forest characterized by sugar maple and basswood and paw paw. On drier sites, a dry-mesic forest of white oak, red oak, black oak, shagbark hickory and hop hornbeam occurs. A small glacial drift hill prairie remnant is present in the preserve.

The forested areas provide habitat for woodpeckers, flycatchers, thrushes, vireos and warblers; and, raccoons, chipmunks, gray and fox squirrels, beaver, and deer. Nineteen species of fish have been recorded from Franklin Creek.