Welcome to The Hollows
The Hollows Conservation Area encompasses 478 acres and hosts an assortment of natural communities including sand prairie, wet silt loam prairie, and basin marsh habitats. Within its boundaries, 335 native wetland and woodland wildflowers, grasses, and plants can be spotted along the trails and around the campgrounds; these include little bluestem, rough blazing star, prairie dock, compass plant, golden Alexander, bird’s foot violet, spiderwort, trillium, horsetail and bottle gentian, as well as six state endangered and threatened plant species. This diverse mix of plant and animal life can be attributed to ongoing restoration efforts - combining a series of small, gravel- pit lakes to create larger lakes that provide better fish habitat; converting former dirt bike trails to passive hiking trails to allow for greater public access; and re seeding many acres with native plants to increase habitat diversity. Little by little pockets of native plants are thriving and are a testament to their own success story.
Hike - Picnic - Camp - Paddle - Fish
Visitors can trek on over four miles of looped nature trails. Favorite hikes include the one-mile trail around Lake Atwood or the 1.3-mile hiking trail that meanders through woodlands and along the picnic grove. During the winter when there is four inches of snow, two miles of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at a picnic table or for a larger gathering, reserve a picnic grove or shelter. Pitch a tent, gather around a campfire, and enjoy the starry skies at the group campground. Launch a canoe, kayak, paddle board or electric motorized rowboat on Lake Atwood for a leisurely paddle or to venture off the shoreline to go fishing.
GeoSeries Question
In the spring, the birth of newborn beavers are arriving in the beaver lodge. The baby beavers are born with all of their teeth and can start eating bark and leaves when they are only a few days old. What are baby beavers called?
To learn how to participate in the GeoSeries and earn a special District geocoin visit MCCDistrict.org/Geocache
Geocachers
Please join us in playing! Geocaching is a high-tech “treasure hunting” game played throughout the world by adventure seeker. All are welcome who observe and obey the rules.
- Please do not move or vandalize the container.
- Once you find it, log your name in the book, take a trinket and leave one of your own behind for the next person.
- Replace the cache in the same spot that you found it, and make sure it is completely covered.
- Please do not remove the informational card from the containers, this is an essential game piece for cachers completing the GeoSeries.
- The real treasure is finding the container and sharing your thoughts with everyone who finds it.
For a complete list of rules and instructions on how to earn a special district geocoin visit MCCDistrict.org/Geocache
Email geocaching@MCCDistrict.org with any questions or concerns
McHenry County Conservation District Information
Visit our website at MCCDistrict.org or call (815) 338-6223
Photo Release
Photos posted here may be featured on the McHenry County Conservation District's various social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, and twitter, as well as our website (MCCDistrict.org) and print material such as Landscapes Magazine. By posting photos to this log you agree to allow us to share your work. Photographers will be acknowledged in any shares or posts of photos, so please include your name in your post if it is different from that of your username.