One of the best ways to reconnect with nature is to pop a tent right in the middle of it! The Forest Preserve offers camping at five locations within Will County. Check out our primitive campsites and book your reservation today. A permit is required for use of all campsites.
All campsites have access to nearby fire pits, accessible latrines and a water fountain or hand pump. Water is not available during the winter months.
Getting a camping permit
Campsites are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis. A permit is required for all campsite rentals. Renters must be 18 years or older to obtain a permit.
Permits in a calendar year become available on the first business day of the new year. No tentative reservations are issued.
A permit must be obtained no less than two business days prior to the reservation. This means that reservations for the upcoming weekend must be made by close-of-business (4 p.m.) on Wednesday.
Camping permits can be obtained in-person at one of the following District visitor centers:
- Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon
- Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook
- Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville
- Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township
- Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet
Permits also can be obtained online by using the "make a reservation" link below.
A permit grants exclusive use of a campsite beginning at noon on the day of the reservation. Campers must arrive at the preserve before sunset. All campers must remain in the preserve after the preserve closes. Campers must clean up and exit the campsite by noon on the last day of the reservation. Closing times vary by season but all District preserves close at sunset.
CHECK CAMPSITE AVAILABILITY AND MAKE A RESERVATION
LEARN ABOUT YOUTH GROUP CAMPING
Camping fees
Price per campsite:
- Will County Resident: $20/night
- Nonresident: $40/night
A 50 percent discount is offered to youth group organizations.
Forked Creek Preserve – Ballou Road Access
Wilmington
This preserve hosts two campsites that can each accommodate two 4-person tents comfortably. One site is on a concrete pad and ADA accessible.
Nearby amenities include 0.67 mile of crushed limestone trail and access to the crushed limestone Wauponsee Glacial Trail, the Ballou Road Access Shelter and a dog park.
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
Crete Township
This preserve offers nine individual campsites, but is also ideal for large group camping trips. Each site can accommodate up to six 4-person tents comfortably and contains a fire ring and picnic table. There are two ADA accessible campsites available. To inquire about hosting a large group camping trip or camporee, please contact Plum Creek Nature Center at 708-946-2216.
Nearby amenities include 2.30 miles of natural surface and paved preserve trails, and the 3.17-mile crushed limestone Plum Creek Greenway Trail as well as Plum Creek Nature Center.
Hammel Woods – DuPage River Access
Shorewood
This preserve has six campsites that can each accommodate two 4-person tents comfortably. There are no ADA accessible sites at this location.
Nearby amenities include the 3.7-mile paved DuPage River Trail, fishing and canoeing/kayaking on the DuPage River, and a dog park.
McKinley Woods – Frederick's Grove
Channahon
Camping at this preserve is unavailable November 1-April 15.
This preserve has four campsites that can each accommodate two 4-person tents comfortably. Two campsites are placed on concrete slabs and are ADA accessible.
Nearby amenities include the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' 61.5-mile crushed limestone I&M Canal State Trail, fishing and canoeing/kayaking on the Des Plaines River, and Frederick's Grove Shelter.
Messenger Woods Nature Preserve
Homer Glen
This preserve has four campsites that can each accommodate two 4-person tents comfortably. Two sites are on concrete slabs and are ADA accessible.
Nearby amenities include 1.98 miles of natural surface trail and the Hawthorn Grove and Oak Knoll shelters.
This is a nature preserve and, therefore, dogs are not permitted on the natural surface trails.
Camping rules and regulations
The following rules and regulations must be agreed to prior to obtaining a camping permit. All preserve rules must also be followed while visiting a District preserve.
- The permit holder is subject to all rules and regulations contained in the Forest Preserve District of Will County's General Use Ordinance No. 124, the Illinois Criminal Code, the Illinois Vehicle Code, and the Illinois Game and Fish Codes.
- Falsification of information and/or violation of rules, regulations, or District ordinances will result in the denial and/or revocation of the permit, forfeiture of the fees, fines, and/or the cancellation/termination of the permitted event.
Permit holder must be 18 years of age or older and present throughout the duration of the reservation.
Only tent camping is permitted. Motorhomes, campers, pop-ups, RVs, etc. are prohibited.
When required, a certificate of insurance listing the Forest Preserve District of Will County as an “Additional Insured” must be on file and valid for the dates of the permitted activity.
Public events such as fundraisers, races, organized walks, organized runs, rallies, pet adoptions, bike rides, etc. require an additional event permit.
The permit is valid only for the date, time and name listed on the permit.
Attendance must not exceed the amount listed on the permit.
The Forest Preserve reserves the right to close and/or limit access within preserves during regular open hours when safety and/or weather conditions warrant such actions.
All permit sales are final. Refunds will not be given for canceled reservations. The Forest Preserve is not responsible for reservations canceled due to inclement weather or other reasons.
Driving or parking on the grass, sidewalks, or trails is prohibited. Vehicles are only permitted in designated parking areas and on roadways.
Permit holder and guests must stay on designated trails and walkways.
The Forest Preserve prohibits permit holders, guests, and the general public from scaling, entering, sitting or walking on historic sites/structures/ruins and protected habitat.
Dogs must be leashed. Leashes more than 10 feet are not allowed. Dogs are not allowed on designated nature trails. Owners must clean up after dogs.
All trash must be cleaned up and placed in designated receptacles upon departure.
Any signs. decorations, waste, tables, chairs, and any other items brought into the preserve for the event MUST be removed prior to departure.
Do not mark on or affix anything (tents, signs, banners, balloons, piñatas, etc.) to trees, Forest Preserve signs, shelters, structures, or buildings. Strapping, pinning, gluing, or stapling to any shelter post, table, or other preserve structure is prohibited.
Glitter, rice, silly string, confetti, birdseed, and water balloons are prohibited.
Using paint to mark a trail is prohibited. If an event requires marking of the trail, washable chalk must be used.
Promotional signs prior to the permitted activity are not allowed on Forest Preserve property.
Music and noise level should not be audible beyond the immediate vicinity, nor should it disturb other visitors or permitted groups.
Fireworks, pyrotechnics and other devices capable of discharging a projectile are prohibited.
Drones are prohibited.
Cutting trees, limbs, or shrubs is prohibited.
Start fires only in designated fire pits or grills. Building fires on the grass is prohibited. Fires must be extinguished before the reservation end time. Dispose of hot coals in fire pits and grills only. Propane heaters and portable firepits are not allowed.
The release of balloons is prohibited.
Pony rides, dunk tanks, inflatable slides, and water slides are prohibited.
Inflatable bounce houses must be supplied by a Forest Preserve District approved vendor.
Solicitation and/or of any products or services on District property is prohibited.
Permit holder and all guests must exit the preserve at the end time listed on the permit.
All campers must arrive at the preserve prior to regular preserve closing hours. After closing hours, campers must remain at their campsite. There should be no entering or exiting of the preserve after closing hours unless there is an emergency. Gates to the preserve will be closed at preserve close hours but will remain unlocked for emergency exit. Preserve closing times vary by season and are listed below.
- Nov - Feb: 4pm
- Mar - Apr: 6pm
- May - Aug: 8pm
- Sep - Oct: 6pm
I acknowledge The Forest Preserve assumes no liability for any injuries that occur as a result of the permitted activity.
I agree not to hold the Forest Preserve District of Will County liable for any loss or damage to persons or property arising from my use of the facilities or engaging in the activity for which this permit is granted.
I agree to defend and hold harmless the Forest Preserve District of Will County from any and all claims or actions brought by myself, my heirs, my guests, contractors or invitees, brought as a result of the exercise of the rights granted under this permit.
I agree to the Rules and Regulations as stated above and will abide by the Forest Preserve District of Will County General Regulation Use Ordinance #124. I have read and understand the rules of the Forest Preserve for the public lands and their usage. I attest that the information I have provided is factual, accurate and honestly represents the nature and intent of my event. Failure to abide by any of the above rules leaves the permit holder liable and susceptible to receiving a ticket and/or suspension from District property by Forest Preserve District of Will County Police.