Muralt Bluff Prairie was protected thanks to the foresight of a few Green County residents, was then purchased by Green County, and is now owned by The Prairie Enthusiasts and the DNR (and managed by the former).  It is definitely one of my favorite sites, in part because of the care with which it is managed and the beauty of the natural prairie. Though the bluff is not a significant increase in elevation above the surrounding landscape, it does provide nice panoramic views in a few spots and wide expanses of prairie throughout.

A visit at any time of the year is worth it, from the early prairie bloomers such as the puccoons, bird’s-foot violets, and prairie smoke to the milkweeds, coneflowers, sunflowers of the summer, to the resplendent displays of goldenrods, asters, and gentians in late summer and fall, there are always beautiful blooms to see.  The parking area is fairly large but the narrow lane to access it is difficult to see when approaching on County Highway F (it is right next to a fence and house).  The bluff can be moderately steep depending on how you access it (less steep if you proceed directly through the woods from the parking area, but more steep if you follow the lane west and then turn south up the bluff).  This site tends to be burned with regularity, so a visit early in the spring may not be the greatest time.

Prairie

View from Bluff

Prairie

Downy Gentian

Seed Collecting

Stiff Gentian

Butterfly Milkweed

Sign

Sign

More of my photos from Muralt Bluff Prairie can be viewed here.

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