Why Thousands of Snakes Shut Down This Illinois Road Twice a Year

I will always begin a story about snakes with the disclaimer that I categorically do not like them, but recognize their value. How's that for covering my rear-end?

Snake Migration

Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about a bi-annual occurrence that has become so unavoidable over the years that a road has to be closed for two months. The road has come to be known as Snake Road, although its official name is Forest Road 345. It earns the nickname honestly; twice a year, thousands of snakes (along with amphibians and other reptiles) migrate across the road, necessitating a closure in order to protect them...and us.

You see, that army of snakes also includes the venomous species that call Illinois home. In amongst the garter snakes, rat snakes, and water snakes, you'll find (if you go looking, that is) cottonmouths, timber rattlers, and copperheads. Nobody wants to get mixed up with that herd, right?

To be fair, though, they do. It's become such a high-profile phenomenon that the curious make their way to Snake Road to observe it.

Jim Herbert of the Jim Herbert Outdoors YouTube channel checked it out in 2024 and got up close and personal with our scaly friends.

At this time, I'll refer you to my opening statement. I think this is simply fascinating, but would I get as close to these things as Herbert did? No.

Will I, one day, travel to Forest Road 345 and see for myself? I'll let you know.