Apple River Canyon

Description

Apple River Canyon is located within the Wisconsin Driftless Natural Division of Illinois. The rugged character of the land, with its hilly terrain and deeply incised canyons, make this region distinct from the rest of Illinois. The spectacular scenery of the area is the result of erosional forces in an ancient landscape untouched by the advancement of the continental icesheets that shaped much of the remaining land surface of Illinois. Apple River Canyon contains a mosaic of loess-covered forested uplands, calcareous cedar glades, hill prairies, dolomite cliffs, talus slopes, shaded ravines, all surrounding the Apple River. This diversity of habitats provides one of the most interesting floristic compositions of the Illinois flora. Numerous state-threatened and endangered plant species are protected within the Apple River Canyon Nature Preserve and State Park.