Did you know that Illinois has a designated road known as Snake Road? For more than 40 years, this special road closes to vehicular traffic twice each year for the migration of snakes and other reptiles, and it’s a wild sight to see. If you like wildlife, you’ve got to check this out. Scroll on for more details.
LaRue Road is closed each year between March 15 and May 15 to allow for the migration of endangered reptile species.
Flickr/Greg Schechter
It has earned this path the name Snake Road, and it is visited by nature lovers who like snakes, frogs, and lizards each spring and fall.
Flickr/Curtis Abert The road is closed again September 1 through October 30 to allow for the return migration of these reptiles.
This sectioned off area of road is within LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Area, and there is a parking area nearby. While you can visit to view the snakes, guests are not allowed to collect.
Flickr/DanielSTL
Featuring 150-foot limestone bluffs, this natural area is a unique part of the Shawnee National Forest. Though hilly, it is covered in coniferous trees and is considered a one-of-a-kind ecosystem.
Flickr/Greg Schechter
There are more than 1,200 species that live here and many are threatened or endangered. Most of the snakes, frogs, and other reptiles that live in Illinois, live in this part of the state.
Flickr/Greg Schechter
For this reason, you are guaranteed to see a large number of these critters slithering, jumping, and scattering across this road, and you can now understand why it had to be closed.
Flickr/Greg Schechter
It takes small sacrifices to help our ecosystems thrive, and this is just one of them. Snakes are not scary but in fact add to our diverse landscape and environment, and that’s why we must save them here in Illinois.
Flickr/Greg Schechter
If you do choose to visit the snake road, remember to practice physical distancing guidelines. If you’ve ever been before, send us your photos and stories below in the comments.
Flickr/Greg Schechter
Flickr/Curtis Abert
The road is closed again September 1 through October 30 to allow for the return migration of these reptiles.
Flickr/DanielSTL
For more like this, check out these nine places in Illinois that will transport you to another world.
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Address: Larue Rd, Wolf Lake, IL 62998, USA
