Fult's Hill Prairie Nature Preserve

Fult’s Hill Prairie Nature Preserve

     Fult’s Hill is a small nature preserve and trail located on the Bluff Road that goes through Prairie Du Rocher, and Modoc, Illinois.

      

     If you are flying down that beautiful scenic road, you will zip past it, like I have done a thousand times. Every time I do it, I catch a glimpse of the parking area and the sign and I say to myself. “I need to stop and check that out one day.” But, I never did, until today.

      

     First, you must find the Bluff Road, which is Illinois Rt 7. If you are on Route 3, in Ellis Grove, you will find Roots Road. Turn on to it, heading west. You will cross the beautiful Kaskaskia River, and then Roots Road will turn into the Bluff Road.  You can also access the Bluff Road from Ruma on Rt 3, by going west down Illinois Rt 156 till you hit the Bluff Road, at Prairie Du Rocher. Head North on the Bluff Road. There are directions on the website from Waterloo and Belleville, as well. Or simply follow the location link on this blog post.

      

     The Preserve has a small parking lot that will hold about 5 cars. There is a stairway that begins the 1.4 mile trail through the preserve. And that stairwell is a killer. It is the never-ending stairway of death. It was a great leg workout, but very surprising in its eternal ascending length. The entrance sign describes the difficulty as “Extreme”.

      

     But, the view from the top is spectacular. If you are out of shape however, take a few moments at the top to breathe before approaching the edge of the cliff. If not, you might start seeing flashing lights, get vertigo and tumble over, taking the fast way down.

      

     Fult’s Hill gives wonderful views of the Mississippi flood plain and the prairies that used to fill Illinois. It is a gem, which typically you will have to yourself.

      

     After checking it out, you could take the ferry at Modoc over to St. Genevieve, Mo. Or go up to Maeystown and see the German village. Or go check out Fort De Chartres near Prairie Du Rocher, while seeing the historic Creole House in town.

      

     This part of the country is full of wonderful places to visit, and explore. It can be a day trip or a whole weekend, spent at the various bed and breakfasts in the area. Check out the Great River Road. I have been working on driving it for years.