The preserve is south of the park lodge. The preserve is in the south unit of the State Park. Access to the nature preserve south of Dead River is by permit only. Permits may be obtained from the site superintendent. This lakeshore area with its dune and swale topography includes sand prairie on the stabilized dunes and ridges.
Typical grasses are little blue stem, switch grass, Indian grass, and sand reed grass.
A Directory of Illinois Nature Preserves, Vol. 1, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. From the intersection of Highways 14 and 31 near Crystal Lake, take Highway 14 east and southeast to Three Oaks Road, then east 3 miles to County Line Road. Proceed north on County Line Road .8 miles to the preserve, which is on the east side of the raod. The wet prairie is situated on glacial outwash in a low area along the Fox River.