Little Calumet River and Mnoké Prairie Outer Loop

Start at the paved Bailly-Chellberg lot, north of U.S. 20 on Mineral Springs Road. Head north on the Bailly Homestead/Chellberg Farm path. Just before the farm buildings, continue straight onto the Little Calumet River and Mnoké Prairie route. At the cemetery junction about a third of a mile in, stay with the outer loop; the cemetery spur is a separate round trip. Take the right connector, then turn left onto the paved Porter Brickyard Trail. Leave the pavement where the hiking path bends right, cross Howe Road and continue through mature woods. At roughly 1.3 miles, keep right at the unmarked junction to descend toward the river. Cross the boardwalk and bridge, then follow the prairie route to the alternate parking lot. From there, walk out to Howe Road, cross back over the river and go up the Bailly Homestead driveway. The northeast path through the homestead returns you to the main lot. Starting at the alternate lot changes this itinerary and its distance.

Maple, beech, basswood and oak shade much of the walk. The river section dips through a small ravine, then the boardwalk and bridge bring you out into a long, open stretch of restored prairie. Mnoké is a Potawatomi word meaning “good earth,” and the prairie gives a sense of the grassland that covered this area before settlement. The Little Calumet River was also an important route for early travelers. The bridge leading toward the open prairie is the clearest place to frame both parts of the walk in one photo.

The trail passes two very different pieces of local history. Joseph Bailly established a fur-trading post here in 1822, at a crossroads on the Little Calumet River. The homestead is a National Historic Landmark. Swedish immigrants Anders and Johanna Kjellberg bought 80 acres for a family farm in the 1870s; three generations lived there, and the family began tapping maple trees in the 1930s. Maple Sugar Time still brings demonstrations to Chellberg Farm on the first two weekends in March.

Most of the route is packed soil, with wood chips in places. There are several stair sets, and the trail can be very wet and slippery; heavy morning dew lingers in the prairie. Ticks are present year-round. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet; bicycles and motorized vehicles are prohibited. The trail itself is not wheelchair accessible. The main lot has restrooms and potable water, plus three covered picnic shelters with grills; one shelter and the restrooms are wheelchair accessible.