VISIT SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

Experience the rugged whitewater and sandstone cliffs of the nation’s 63rd national park — the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

The park spans three counties in Southern West Virginia and includes the historic coal mining towns of Kaymoor and Nuttallburg; the railroad towns of Thurmond and Prince; adjoining West Virginia state parks, Little Beaver, Hawks Nest and Babcock; several popular overlooks and more. Find your own way to explore the rivers, forests, lakes and canyons of America’s newest national park. Paddle down miles of free-flowing whitewater rapids on the New River, one of the oldest rivers on the continent, or spend time in the old railroad town of Hinton while visiting Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall on the New River. Hike the serene forest trails at Grandview for impressive views of the Gorge and vibrant fall foliage, or reach new heights on a rock climbing trip with some of the most diverse climbing areas in the east. As the temperatures begin to drop, enjoy the beauty of winter. Hit the slopes for a family-friendly ski weekend, or watch the snow fall while staying warm in a cozy, mountainside cabin. Plan your next adventure to Southern West Virginia today.

Prairie Revival MIDEWIN NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE WILMINGTON, ILLINOIS

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie sits just an hour southwest of Chicago, but it feels centuries away, boasting a landscape our pioneer forebears would easily recognize. With its remnants of the old farmstead where four generations of the Schumacher family lived and stands of black walnut, oak, hickory and Osage orange trees (the latter identifiable by their intricately twisted bark and pebbled green fruit), the 20,000-acre prairie seems like a place forgotten by time.

Yet the site was not always as pristine and undisturbed as it appears today. The prairie was the former home of Joliet Arsenal, the largest producer of artillery in the U.S. until the end of the Vietnam War. A statue depicting a worker at the arsenal, which is located near the Iron Bridge Trailhead, pays tribute to those who served on the home front during wartime.

Today, most of the former Joliet Arsenal buildings are gone, replaced by a sprawling space that helps Illinois live up to its moniker as the Prairie State. Travelers may spot bison roaming the tall grasses. In 2015, 27 of the animals were introduced as a restoration project. The idea was that the presence of the bison and their natural actions, like the way they graze and wallow, could help boost the regrowth of native prairie plant life. Because bison are enormous animals, they are best viewed at a distance. Consider taking a guided or self-guided hike to the bison viewing station. Bring binoculars if you have them, but scopes are available as well. (For a head start on bison viewing, you can always tune into the preserve’s online bison cam.)

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie also has more than 33 miles of trails open to the public for nonmotorized recreation. Nature abounds here, as the area is home to more than 100 species of birds and a myriad of endangered flora. 30239 S. St. Rte. 53, Wilmington, Illinois 60481, 815/423-6370, fs.usda.gov/midewin

— JANE SIMON AMMESON