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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Morris, Illinois, Along the I&M Canal
Pick lavender near Morris when it peaks in mid-June, walk to a canal aqueduct at Gebhard Woods, then hike the 18 canyons of Starved Rock.
6 places · updated October 17, 2026
🌱 What’s happening now
Updated October 17
🪻 In season now
Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm · Dollinger Family Farm · Kane Family Farms
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Morris is the Grundy County seat, about an hour southwest of Chicago where I-80 crosses the Illinois River. The old Illinois & Michigan Canal runs right through town, and the old towpath is now a trail linking a string of state parks from Channahon to LaSalle. East of town is the largest remnant of tallgrass prairie left in Illinois, and 30 miles west the river cuts the sandstone bluffs and canyons of Starved Rock.
Nettle Creek Lavender Farm, Maggie Smith's farm west of Morris, has been growing lavender since 2012. A local news profile updated in 2025 describes about 1,200 plants in 17 varieties on four acres, a roadside farm stand open from Mother's Day weekend through October, pick-your-own by appointment, weekend workshops and evening tours in summer. Start the day there, then follow the canal and the river west toward Ottawa and Utica, or east toward the prairies around Channahon and Wilmington.
The lavender farms
- Nettle Creek Lavender FarmLavender farm · Morris
Peaks around mid-June; some varieties rebloom until frost
Self-serve farm stand; u-pick lavender by appointment; ticketed evening farm tours, greenhouse workshops and fall u-pick flower happy hours (2026).
Best time to visit
Lavender at Nettle Creek usually peaks around mid-June, and its evening tours run monthly from June through September; the farm stand stays open into October. In spring, trillium, bluebells, trout lilies and phlox bloom in the woods at Gebhard Woods. Summer is the time for the prairie trails at Goose Lake and Midewin and for paddling or biking along the canal. Fall is farm season: Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm lists U-pick flowers from September 5, hayrides from September 19 and a Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off on September 26, and Dollinger Family Farm's free-admission fall season runs September 14 to October 30, 2026. October also brings fall color to the canyons at Starved Rock.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Gebhard Woods State Park🌳 State park · Morris · about 5 mi, 10 min drive
A shady 30-acre park with Nettle Creek on one side and the I&M Canal on the other. A short hike leads to a restored stone aqueduct that carried the canal over the creek, and e-bikes can be rented at the park for the canal towpath.
- William G. Stratton State Park🏞️ Park · Morris · about 6 mi, 11 min drive
A small riverfront park in Morris, built in 1959 to give boaters access to the Illinois River. Reach it by crossing the I&M Canal on Calhoun Street.
- Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area🌲 Preserve · Morris · about 13 mi, 20 min drive
At 2,537 acres, the largest remnant of prairie left in Illinois. The Tall Grass Nature Trail runs through the biggest remaining stand of tallgrass prairie in the state, and the Prairie View Trail climbs an old mine spoil mound for views over prairie and marsh.
- Channahon State Park🏛️ Historic site · Channahon · about 18 mi, 25 min drive
A canal park where the Civilian Conservation Corps restored Locks 6 and 7 of the I&M Canal and the locktender's house at Lock 6. The canal stayed in use until 1933, when the Illinois Waterway replaced it.
- Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie🌲 Preserve · Wilmington · about 24 mi, 35 min drive
Former munitions plant land being restored to prairie, with more than 30 miles of trail and a reintroduced bison herd. Near the Iron Bridge Trailhead you can see a World War II bunker and an arsenal worker statue.
- Buffalo Rock State Park🌳 State park · Ottawa · about 28 mi, 35 min drive
A 298-acre park on a bluff above the Illinois River west of Ottawa, home to two American bison that can be seen daily in their pasture across from the ball diamond.
- Starved Rock State Park🌳 State park · Utica · about 30 mi, 35 min drive
Illinois' second state park, founded in 1911, with 18 sandstone canyons and more than 13 miles of trail. The 1930s Starved Rock Lodge has a dining room. Some trails may be closed during a 2026 trail improvement project.
Trails 7 a.m. to sunset; visitor center 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, closed some holidays
- Illinois Waterway Visitor Center🏛️ Museum · Ottawa · about 30 mi, 40 min drive
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visitor center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam, on the north bank of the river across from Starved Rock.
Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- True NorthGift shop · Morris
A big antique and gift emporium on Clay Street in Morris, open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Sherwood Oaks Waffle Cafe & RestaurantRestaurant · Morris
A local breakfast spot on North Division Street for waffles before heading out to the farm.
- Heap's Giant Pumpkin FarmPumpkin patch · Minooka
Hayrides out to the pumpkin patch, corn and bean mazes, and U-pick flowers from early September.
- Dollinger Family FarmFamily fun farm · Channahon
A free-admission fall farm near the canal in Channahon, open September 14 to October 30, 2026.
- Kane Family FarmsPumpkin patch · Ottawa
A pumpkin farm near Ottawa with a corn maze, hayrides and a petting zoo, easy to add to a Starved Rock day in fall.
- Tangled Roots Brewing Co. – The Lone BuffaloBrewery or taproom (21+) · Ottawa
The Lone Buffalo on LaSalle Street in Ottawa pairs house-brewed beer with food sourced from local growers, and opens at 11 a.m. daily.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMNettle Creek Lavender Farm
Shop the farm stand for fresh-cut lavender and farm goods; in June, book ahead to pick your own. About 1 hour.
- 11:10 AMGebhard Woods State Park · about 10 min drive
Walk to the stone aqueduct over Nettle Creek and along the canal bank. About 40 minutes.
- 12:20 PMThe Lone Buffalo (Tangled Roots Brewing Co.) · about 30 min drive
Lunch in downtown Ottawa. About 1 hour.
- 1:30 PMBuffalo Rock State Park · about 10 min drive
See the two bison and the river from the bluff. About 30 minutes.
- 2:15 PMStarved Rock State Park · about 15 min drive
Hike to the top of Starved Rock and into one of the nearby canyons. About 1.5 hours; check trail closures first.
- 4:00 PMIllinois Waterway Visitor Center · about 10 min drive
Look across at Starved Rock from the lock and dam before the 5 p.m. close. About 30 minutes.
- 5:15 PMTrue North · about 40 min drive
Back in Morris, browse the vendor floors until the 7 p.m. close. About 1 hour.
Tips
- Pick-your-own at Nettle Creek is by appointment, so contact the farm before you go in June.
- Arrive early at Starved Rock on weekends, and check the IDNR closures page first because some trails may be closed for 2026 trail work.
- The I&M Canal towpath is flat and easy to bike between Morris and Channahon; Gebhard Woods has an e-bike rental concession.
- Several state natural areas close parts of their land during hunting seasons, so check before a late-fall visit.
- If you plan to taste beer or wine in Ottawa or Utica, bring a designated driver for the drive back on I-80.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does lavender bloom near Morris?
Nettle Creek Lavender Farm's lavender usually peaks around mid-June. Its farm stand is open from Mother's Day weekend through October.
How far is Starved Rock from Morris?
About 30 miles west on I-80, roughly a 35-minute drive.
Where can I see bison near Morris?
Buffalo Rock State Park west of Ottawa keeps two bison you can see daily, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Wilmington has a reintroduced herd.
Is there tallgrass prairie to walk near Morris?
Yes. Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, east of town, is the largest prairie remnant left in Illinois.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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