🏆🏆🏆🏆 Old-Growth Gem — Rare 80-acre old-growth bottomland forest — one of the last uncut hardwood stands in southern Illinois
Bohm Woods Nature Preserve protects a rare 80-acre stand of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in Richland County — one of the last uncut hardwood forests remaining in southern Illinois. These towering oaks, hickories, and maples escaped the axe that cleared 95% of Illinois’s original forest. The Shawnee Hills region of southern Illinois is a biodiversity hotspot — where the glaciers stopped, leaving rugged terrain that was too steep to farm and too remote to log efficiently. Bohm Woods is a living window into the vast forest that once blanketed the Ohio River valley.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Richland County, IL |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Size | 80 acres old-growth! |
| Forest | Uncut since pre-settlement! |
About Bohm Woods
Bohm Woods Nature Preserve in Richland County protects a tract of old-growth forest in southeastern Illinois — one of the finest remaining examples of the original forest that covered this part of the state before settlement. The preserve features massive oaks, hickories, and tulip poplars that predate European settlement.
Things to Do
Hiking through the old-growth forest on a short trail, birdwatching for forest interior species, wildflower viewing in spring (the forest floor blooms spectacularly), and nature photography of the ancient trees.
Insider Tips
Old-growth rarity: Bohm Woods protects one of the last remnants of old-growth forest in central Illinois — trees over 200 years old that survived when 99% of Illinois’s forests were cleared for farming. Pro tip: Spring wildflower displays are extraordinary — Virginia bluebells, trilliums, and Dutchman’s breeches carpet the forest floor. Silence: This is a nature preserve, not a park — no facilities, just ancient trees and birdsong.
Best Time to Visit
April-May: Peak wildflower bloom — one of the best displays in Illinois. Fall: Mature hardwood foliage. Summer: Deep forest shade. Winter: Tree architecture visible without leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of Illinois was originally forested?
About 40% of Illinois was forested before European settlement — the rest was tallgrass prairie. Today, less than 0.1% of the original old-growth forest remains. Preserves like Bohm Woods protect irreplaceable ecological heritage — trees that germinated when George Washington was alive.
Wildlife & Nature
Bohm Woods Nature Preserve protects a remnant of the original deciduous forest that once covered 40% of Illinois before European settlement. Illinois’ forests — concentrated along rivers and in the southern hills — represent the western edge of the Eastern Deciduous Forest biome. The preserve’s mature oak-hickory forest supports breeding populations of wood thrushes — their flutelike evening songs are considered among the most beautiful in the bird world. Barred owls call “who cooks for you” at dusk. Red-bellied woodpeckers excavate nesting cavities. The forest floor’s spring ephemeral wildflowers — bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, and hepatica — bloom in a brief window before the canopy leafs out and blocks sunlight. Box turtles — which can live 100+ years — slowly navigate the forest floor.
Nearby Attractions
Illinois’ nature preserve system protects the state’s most ecologically significant remnants. Illinois Nature Preserves Commission oversees 400+ sites. Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois — the state’s only national forest — offers dramatic rock formations and canyons. Illinois River corridor provides wetland recreation. Starved Rock State Park features 18 canyons with waterfalls. Matthiessen State Park has spectacular canyon hiking. Cache River State Natural Area protects ancient cypress swamps.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Red Hills State Park is a short drive away, and Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is within about an hour’s drive.
🌳 Visit Bohm Woods Nature Preserve
80 acres of old-growth — Illinois’s vanishing bottomland forest.
