Home General Resort Blogs Wildberry Picking Weekend at the Lodge!

Wildberry Picking Weekend at the Lodge!

We have designated June 29th & 30th the Wildberry Picking Weekend at the lodge! This is during the peak times for blackberries and raspberries. Wildberries can be found along the edges of timber and along the many miles of ATV trails throughout the 1,200 acre ATV park.

Enjoy the following activities at the lodge over the weekend:

Corn hole games (FREE w/lodging)
Hiking (FREE w/ lodging)
Bonfire w/smore’s (FREE w/lodging)
Fishing (FREE- will need an ATV/ UTV to access fishing ponds, must have an IL fishing license, catch/release only)
Pistol Range (FREE w/lodging)
Sporting Clays
ATV/ UTV Riding and UTV Polaris Rentals (1,200 acres of riding! ATV day pass discount when lodging with us!)
Water, soda, candy, and ice is available at the Snack Shack all weekend long!

An old fashion summertime meal will be served Saturday evening for those who purchase the meal plan (available for lodging guests only, please reserve at the time of booking). It will include the following:

BBQ RIBS
BAKED BEANS
CORN ON THE COB (SWEET CORN)
POTATO SALAD
TOMATO/CUCUMBER SALAD
CORN BREAD
BLACKBERRY COBBLER

Check on Available Lodging Options June 29th & 30th Here >>

Wildberry Pickin’ Traditions at the Lodge..

“When I grew up blackberries were a special treat during the summer months. I would look out the window and see my Grandpa George with a bucket, on the hottest day of the summer, going to pick blackberries. He was in his nineties. We made cobblers, pies, but my favorite was blackberry dumplings. Grandma Nellie would make blackberry juice and on New Year’s Day Grandpa would bring us a jar of the precious commodity. This was to bring us good fortune with plenty of food for the coming year. Sometimes when we were sick, Grandpa George would bring us a jar of the blackberry juice to help us get better. Also, many stories have been told about their buckets being full of berries.”

-Wanda Harpole

Wildberries are not just good to eat, they are good for you too!

Did you know these wild berries are a very healthy fruit high in fiber and vitamin C? When picking them it is key to only pick the ripe one’s which are almost black in color whereas the unripe blackberries and raspberries will appear red and will not ripen once picked. If you are a serious berry picker and pick more than you can eat, you can freeze them in freezer bags for future enjoyment.

Lodging Options Available for Wildberry Picking Weekend

Original Lodge Buyout Special!

Bring your friends and family and celebrate Father’s Day weekend at the lodge!

Friday & Saturday night buyout available- $1,599 for all 13 rooms! Up to 26 guests! (two night minimum)

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Prairie Ridge Lodge

(Fri/Sat night) -$236/night. Luxury suites with a king bed, day bed, two person jetted tub, fireplace, TV and deck sitting area! Two night minimum required for weekends.

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Private Luxury Cabins

Friday, Saturday and Sunday night available.

Fri/ Sat Night- $400 per night (two night minimum)

Sun Night- $360 per night (one night stay available)

Three-Night Weekend Rate ($75 discount) $1,085

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Heavenly View Cabin

Fri/ Sat Night- $450 per night (two night minimum)

Add up to three additional rooms for $100 per night/ per room.

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Quail Ridge Cabin