Keepataw Preserve
Location
Keepataw Preserve is located on Bluff Road, east of Joliet Road, in DuPage Township.
Hours
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
Keepataw Nature Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
Keepataw Preserve in DuPage Township offers a striking landscape shaped by both natural processes and its quarrying past. A total of 215 acres, the preserve combines forest, prairie, wetland and river habitats with towering limestone features to create a unique place to explore.
Planning your visit
The preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
Exploring the preserve
Keepataw Preserve features a 0.28-mile natural surface trail suitable for hiking and running.
Flora and fauna
Keepataw Preserve protects a variety of habitats, including forest, prairie, wetland and a portion of the Des Plaines River. A defining feature of the preserve is a 60-foot limestone bluff formed from deposits mined around the turn of the 20th century.
Wildlife includes rare species such as the federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly.
Plant species found at the preserve include robin’s plantain, Ohio horse mint and false pennyroyal. Ongoing management efforts such as invasive species control, prescribed burning and habitat restoration help maintain and protect these natural communities.
Preserve history
The preserve was acquired between 1978 and 1992 and is part of the Des Plaines River preservation system, which protects 2,600 acres.
The preserve was previously the site of a limestone quarry. Cultural resources include the remains of a kiln used during quarrying operations.
Upcoming events
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Kayak Kollege
July 23, 2026 | 5:30 P.M TO 7:30 P.M
Learn basic paddling skills from certified instructors then try your new skills out on the lake.
Fireflies: Nature’s Light Show
July 23, 2026 | 7:30 P.M TO 9:00 P.M
Learn how a firefly glows and how you can tell the difference between species on an interactive night hike.
BYOB Dusk at the Dunes
July 23, 2026 | 7:30 P.M TO 9:00 P.M
Explore unique plants and animals on a short hike then set up your favorite camping chair and relax while listening to the sounds of night approaching.
Latest headlines
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Wild Relatives: The coati, which might remind you of a mammal in Illinois
July 23, 2026 | Nature and wildlife
Get to the know the coati — a highly adaptable and can live in many different types of habitat.
Art showcase puts employee creativity in the spotlight
July 21, 2026 | Programs and events
'The Arts of the Preserves' opens Saturday, Aug. 1, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 30.
Going with the grain: First organic crop harvested on Forest Preserve land
July 20, 2026 | Conservation and restoration
The milestone harvest is part of a broader effort to improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat.
Frequently asked questions
There are many opportunities to volunteer with us. Visit the volunteer information page for more information.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions: Concealed Carry page for information about firearms in the District's forest preserves and visitor centers.
Call 911 in an emergency. Non-emergency safety concerns should be directed to the Laraway Communications Center dispatch at 815-727-6191 (option 9) to have a Forest Preserve District officer dispatched. Non-emergency and past concerns can also be reported to the District's police department by calling 815-727-8700 or through the online form.