Pleasant Valley Conservation Area

Starting at John Sullivan Memorial

One preserve, a familiar starting point

I parked and began my hike at the area marked John Sullivan Memorial on Google Maps. Comparing that location with the conservation district’s map places it by Pleasant Valley’s main parking and amphitheater area. I’m collecting these photographs under the preserve’s official name: Pleasant Valley Conservation Area.

The district’s map does not label John Sullivan Memorial separately. That name identifies the starting area I used; these photographs follow my explorations from there and do not represent every trail in the preserve.

My collection moves from broad prairie views into the details along the paths: cream gentians, ghost pipe, blazing stars, summer phlox, and insects visiting flowers.

The landscape around the trail

Open prairie & oak-lined paths

Grassy paths lead through open country, with spreading trees and woodland shade offering a change of scenery. The photographs include broad views, a prairie panorama, and a preserve interpretive sign.

A grassy trail leads into the open prairie beneath a blue sky at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A grassy trail leads into the open prairie beneath a blue sky.

A spreading oak stands alone in the open grassland at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A spreading oak stands alone in the open grassland.

Pale prairie grasses beneath scattered white clouds at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pale prairie grasses beneath scattered white clouds.

A panoramic view across the open prairie at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A panoramic view across the open prairie.

Green wetland vegetation stretches toward a distant tree line at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Green wetland vegetation stretches toward a distant tree line.

A mown green trail curves through pale grasses at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A mown green trail curves through pale grasses.

A narrow woodland path passes beneath leafy branches at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A narrow woodland path passes beneath leafy branches.

A narrow mown path through green prairie vegetation at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A narrow mown path through green prairie vegetation.

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A grassy trail winds between tall plants at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A grassy trail winds between tall plants.

A green trail bordered by tall grasses beneath wispy clouds at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A green trail bordered by tall grasses beneath wispy clouds.

A view across the grassland from beneath an oak at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A view across the grassland from beneath an oak.

Pleasant Valley Conservation Area interpretive sign about species of conservation concern at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pleasant Valley Conservation Area interpretive sign about species of conservation concern.

Flowers along the way

A closer look at the plants

From the pale flowers of cream gentian and ghost pipe to yellow wingstem and pink-purple blazing stars, these are the plants I stopped to photograph. Names follow the identifications in my photo collection; the gallery includes both native plants and introduced plants such as creeping bellflower and perennial sowthistle.

Biennial gaura flowers spread across slender stems against the sky at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Biennial gaura flowers spread across slender stems against the sky.

White and pink biennial gaura blossoms along an upright stem at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — White and pink biennial gaura blossoms along an upright stem.

Cream gentian flowers nestled among broad green leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Cream gentian flowers nestled among broad green leaves.

Cream gentian stems rise among the surrounding grasses at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Cream gentian stems rise among the surrounding grasses.

Pale cream gentian flowers viewed from the side at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pale cream gentian flowers viewed from the side.

A close view of clustered cream gentian flowers at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A close view of clustered cream gentian flowers.

A purple creeping bellflower hangs from its stem at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A purple creeping bellflower hangs from its stem.

Purple creeping bellflowers along a leafy stem at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Purple creeping bellflowers along a leafy stem.

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A pink field thistle flower against a clear blue sky at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A pink field thistle flower against a clear blue sky.

Clusters of yellow giant goldenrod flowers at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Clusters of yellow giant goldenrod flowers.

Small white heath aster flowers among fine green leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Small white heath aster flowers among fine green leaves.

Pink hollow Joe-Pye weed flowers in close view at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pink hollow Joe-Pye weed flowers in close view.

Ghost pipe stems rise from woodland leaf litter at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Ghost pipe stems rise from woodland leaf litter.

A cluster of pale ghost pipe flowers beside green woodland plants at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A cluster of pale ghost pipe flowers beside green woodland plants.

White ghost pipe flowers emerging beside a fallen branch at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — White ghost pipe flowers emerging beside a fallen branch.

Ghost pipe viewed from a low angle on the woodland floor at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Ghost pipe viewed from a low angle on the woodland floor.

Pink wild onion flowers form a rounded cluster at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pink wild onion flowers form a rounded cluster.

White wild onion flowers with yellow coneflowers in the background at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — White wild onion flowers with yellow coneflowers in the background.

A close view of a white wild onion flower cluster at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A close view of a white wild onion flower cluster.

Tall pale Indian plantain flower heads above meadow vegetation at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Tall pale Indian plantain flower heads above meadow vegetation.

Pale Indian plantain stem and flower heads against the sky at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pale Indian plantain stem and flower heads against the sky.

Yellow perennial sowthistle flowers above spiny-edged leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Yellow perennial sowthistle flowers above spiny-edged leaves.

A close view of a yellow perennial sowthistle flower at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A close view of a yellow perennial sowthistle flower.

Purple prairie clover flowers encircle a slender flower spike at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Purple prairie clover flowers encircle a slender flower spike.

Rough blazing star flowers among surrounding vegetation at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Rough blazing star flowers among surrounding vegetation.

Pink-purple rough blazing star blossoms along an upright stem at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pink-purple rough blazing star blossoms along an upright stem.

Round-headed bush clover flower clusters on an upright stem at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Round-headed bush clover flower clusters on an upright stem.

A yellow sawtooth sunflower against the sky at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A yellow sawtooth sunflower against the sky.

A white starry campion flower with finely divided petals at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A white starry campion flower with finely divided petals.

White summer phlox flowers in close view at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — White summer phlox flowers in close view.

White summer phlox flowers against a blue sky at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — White summer phlox flowers against a blue sky.

Pink summer phlox flowers among green leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Pink summer phlox flowers among green leaves.

A yellow tall tickseed flower with a dark reddish center at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A yellow tall tickseed flower with a dark reddish center.

Small white Virginia mountain mint flowers on branching stems at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Small white Virginia mountain mint flowers on branching stems.

Yellow wingstem flowers with long drooping rays at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Yellow wingstem flowers with long drooping rays.

A broad cluster of yellow wingstem flowers at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A broad cluster of yellow wingstem flowers.

Wingstem flowers and leaves in their surrounding vegetation at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Wingstem flowers and leaves in their surrounding vegetation.

A close view of green wingstem leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A close view of green wingstem leaves.

Beyond the flowers

Fruit, galls & visiting insects

Grapes, an apple, red sumac fruit, a grapevine gall, and insects around the flowers add another layer to the walk.

A green apple hangs among sunlit leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A green apple hangs among sunlit leaves.

Dark grape clusters hang beneath green vine leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Dark grape clusters hang beneath green vine leaves.

A textured gall on a grapevine at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A textured gall on a grapevine.

Red sumac fruit clusters above compound leaves at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — Red sumac fruit clusters above compound leaves.

A honey bee visits a cluster of pale flowers at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A honey bee visits a cluster of pale flowers.

A flying insect hovers above pale flower heads at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Illinois — A flying insect hovers above pale flower heads.

About the preserve

A landscape with a long story

McHenry County Conservation District describes a 2,080-acre preserve protecting prairie, wetland, oak savanna, and woodland. Keeping large areas connected helps support wildlife that needs extensive habitat.

Part of the property became a summer camp and retreat for Chicago children in 1952, later known as Pleasant Valley Outdoor Center. It closed in 1998. The district began acquiring land here in 1994 and restoring it in 1997.

Plan your visit

Finding Pleasant Valley

Official entrance

The district lists 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock, Illinois. Follow the preserve entrance and internal drive to the main parking area shown on its map.

Choose a trail

The district lists about five miles of trails. Its map shows several connecting loops; choose a route that fits your time and current conditions.

Hours & conditions

Regular hours are sunrise to sunset. Check the district’s current closure notices before visiting.

Facilities

The official map shows restrooms, picnic shelters, and an amphitheater near the main parking area. Refer to the map for their locations.

Pleasant Valley Conservation Area

One preserve, a familiar starting point

Open prairie & oak-lined paths

A closer look at the plants

Fruit, galls & visiting insects

A landscape with a long story

Finding Pleasant Valley

Official entrance

Choose a trail

Hours & conditions

Facilities

Like this:

Refine your search

One preserve, a familiar starting point

Open prairie & oak-lined paths

A closer look at the plants

Fruit, galls & visiting insects

A landscape with a long story

Finding Pleasant Valley

Official entrance

Choose a trail

Hours & conditions

Facilities

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Like this:

Refine your search