Forest preserves

Improved preserves are natural areas that have been enhanced with amenities designed to help visitors explore and enjoy the outdoors. These preserves include parking lots, trails, picnic shelters, and other recreational improvements that provide opportunities to connect with nature. They also provide habitat for plants and animals, contribute to cleaner air and water and help mitigate flooding. 

The Forest Preserve District also has dozens of land holdings that are unimproved preserves.

What's close to me?

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  • Close-up of a prickly pear cactus with bright yellow flowers blooming among tall green grasses in a natural prairie setting.

    Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve

    Location: Reed Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • Dog parks
  • Wide view of a sunlit prairie meadow with tall green grasses, scattered shrubs and trees, and a blue sky with soft clouds overhead.

    Colvin Grove Preserve

    Location: Joliet
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
  • A raccoon peeks out from behind the trunk of a tree, surrounded by bright green leaves in a sunlit forest setting.

    Evans-Judge Preserve

    Location: Custer Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking/running
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Fishing
  • Close-up of a freshwater mussel with a yellow and brown ridged shell resting on muddy ground near shallow water.

    Forked Creek Preserve

    Location: Wesley and Florence townships
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking/running
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Fishing
    • Biking
    • Camping
    • Dog parks
    • Horseback riding
    • Sledding
  • Upward view of a tall wooden observation bridge or trestle surrounded by leafy green trees in a sunlit forest.

    Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve

    Location: Crete Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Snowshoeing
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking/running
    • Ice skating
    • Sledding
    • Horseback riding
    • Camping
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
  • Two people wearing sun hats walk along a gravel trail through a prairie landscape with tall grasses and wildflowers on a sunny day.

    Hadley Valley

    Location: Homer Township and Joliet
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • Horseback riding
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
  • Aerial view of a forest in autumn with colorful fall foliage and a narrow winding road running through the trees.

    Hammel Woods

    Location: Shorewood
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Biking
    • Camping
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Dog parks
    • Fishing
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
  • An elevated wooden and metal pedestrian bridge crosses over a shallow stream, surrounded by dense green trees and vegetation, with a bench visible near the trail.

    Hickory Creek Preserve

    Location: New Lenox and Frankfort townships
    Hours: Sunrise-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
    • Geocaching
  • A child wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap fishes along a grassy pond shoreline on a sunny day.

    Hidden Oaks Preserve

    Location: Bolingbrook
    Hours: 6 a.m.-sunset
    • Biking
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Snowshoeing
    • Picnicking
    • Fishing
  • A smiling woman wearing large sunglasses poses with a young child in front of a historic longhouse structure in a grassy park setting.

    Isle a la Cache

    Location: Romeoville
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking/running
    • Snowshoeing
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Fishing
    • Biking
  • A long row of weathered concrete arches from a ruined industrial structure stretches into the distance beside a grassy path under cloudy skies.

    Joliet Iron Works Historic Site

    Location: Joliet
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
  • An aerial view of a green wetland landscape with a winding river, dense trees, and tall grasses surrounding a lone brick chimney rising from the marsh.

    Keepataw Preserve

    Location: DuPage Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
  • Two people paddle an inflatable kayak across a calm lake on a sunny day, with a wooden boardwalk and dense green trees along the shoreline in the background.

    Lake Chaminwood Preserve

    Location: Channahon
    Hours: 6 a.m.-sunset
    • Snowshoeing
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Boating
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Fishing
  • Two herons stand on a large stick nest built atop a wooden platform, surrounded by greenery under a clear blue sky.

    Lake Renwick Preserve

    Location: Plainfield
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Fishing
    • Geocaching
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
  • A gray squirrel sits on a tree branch eating food, with its fluffy tail curled over its back against a soft green blurred background.

    Lambs Woods

    Location: Lockport
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
  • A wooden picnic shelter sits in a grassy clearing bordered by dense green trees on a sunny day, with a picnic table and trash can nearby.

    Laughton Preserve

    Location: Wilton Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Picnicking
  • A wide grassy prairie stretches beneath a bright blue sky filled with large white clouds, with a line of trees along the horizon in the distance.

    Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve

    Location: Lockport Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
  • Two people wearing bicycle helmets ride bikes along a paved trail through a wooded park, passing a trail information sign on a sunny day.

    Lower Rock Run Preserve

    Location: Joliet
    Hours: Sunrise-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • Geocaching
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
    • Dog parks
  • Three white pelicans stand in shallow wetland water, their reflections visible on the calm surface with reeds and marsh grasses in the background.

    McKinley Woods

    Location: Channahon
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Snowshoeing
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking/running
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Fishing
    • Camping
    • Biking
    • In-line skating
  • A narrow stream winds through a grassy wetland landscape bordered by tall grasses, wildflowers, and scattered trees under a clear blue sky.

    Messenger Marsh

    Location: Homer Glen
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Snowshoeing
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking/running
    • Horseback riding
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Dog parks
    • Fishing
  • A calm wooded creek reflects tall trees and green foliage, with fallen logs and dense vegetation surrounding the shallow water in a peaceful forest setting.

    Messenger Woods Nature Preserve

    Location: Homer Glen
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Snowshoeing
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking/running
    • Camping
    • Cross-country skiing
  • Two people riding a small pedal boat on a calm lake, surrounded by lush green vegetation and trees along the shoreline.

    Monee Reservoir

    Location: Monee Township
    Hours: 6 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Snowshoeing
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking/running
    • Boating
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Fishing
  • A winding dirt path through a sunlit forest in spring. Blue wildflowers bloom along the trail in the foreground.

    O'Hara Woods Preserve

    Location: Romeoville
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • Snowshoeing
  • A smiling person wearing sunglasses and a light-colored cap takes a selfie in front of an informational sign for Plum Valley Preserve.

    Plum Valley Preserve

    Location: Crete Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Dog parks
    • Picnicking
  • A smoothly paved trail curves through a grassy prairie landscape under a clear blue sky. Tall wild grasses and shrubs line the path.

    Prairie Bluff Preserve

    Location: Crest Hill
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Snowshoeing
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
  • Close-up of delicate light purple wildflowers blooming among green leaves and unopened buds.

    Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve

    Location: Monee Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
  • A historic farmstead featuring a light-colored stone farmhouse beside a large red barn under a clear blue sky.

    Riverview Farmstead Preserve

    Location: Naperville
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Fishing
  • Several turtles bask together on a sunlit rock in the middle of a calm pond. Their reflections shimmer in the green water, creating a peaceful wildlife scene in a natural wetland setting.

    Rock Run Preserve

    Location: Joliet
    Hours: Sunrise-sunset
    • Snowshoeing
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Cross-country skiing

  • Rock Run Rookery Preserve

    Location: Joliet
    Hours: 6 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • Picnicking
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Fishing
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Boating

  • Runyon Preserve

    Location: Lockport
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
  • Close-up of purple-blue wildflowers blooming among green foliage in a natural setting.

    Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve

    Location: Custer Township
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Hiking/running
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
  • A newly paved blacktop trail winds through a lush green landscape bordered by grasses and dense trees.

    Sauk Trail Reservoir

    Location: Frankfort
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
  • A robin with a bright orange chest perches on top of a wooden trail sign for the Sugar Creek Nature Trail at Sugar Creek Preserve.

    Sugar Creek Preserve

    Location: Joliet
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking/running
    • Horseback riding
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
  • A close-up view of delicate white wildflowers with yellow and pink centers blooming on a stem.

    Teale Woods Preserve

    Location: Joliet
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
  • A cyclist wearing a bright neon shirt and helmet rides across a long wooden boardwalk trail on a sunny day.

    Theodore Marsh

    Location: Crest Hill
    Hours: Sunrise-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • In-line skating
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking/running
    • Snowshoeing
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing

  • Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve

    Location: Park Forest
    Hours: Sunrise-sunset
    • Hiking/running

  • Vermont Cemetery Preserve

    Location: Naperville
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
  • A winding paved trail curves through open green fields toward a dense line of trees under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.

    Veterans Woods

    Location: Romeoville
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • Geocaching
    • Picnicking
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
  • A person in a kayak fishes on a calm lake, holding a bent fishing rod that suggests a catch on the line.

    Whalon Lake

    Location: Naperville
    Hours: 6 a.m.-sunset
    • Geocaching
    • Snowshoeing
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Boating
    • Biking
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Canoeing/kayaking
    • Dog parks
    • Fishing
  • A doe and her spotted fawn stand in shallow wetland water surrounded by marsh grasses.

    Wolf Creek Preserve

    Location: Naperville
    Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset
    • Hiking/running
    • In-line skating
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Biking
    • Boating