Sugar Creek Administration Center
Location
Sugar Creek Administration Center is located at 17540 W. Laraway Road, west of Route 52, in Joliet.
Hours
Visitor center
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Preserve
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
Sugar Creek Nature Trail
Wauponsee Glacial Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
Sugar Creek Administration Center serves as the main office for the Forest Preserve District and provides visitors with access to permits, publications and nearby outdoor recreational opportunities.
Located within Sugar Creek Preserve and adjacent to the Wauponsee Glacial Trail, the administration center has been recognized as a model of environmentally conscious design. The facility earned Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) recognition for its sustainable features, including photovoltaic cells and recycled building materials.
The administration center offers:
- Camping, dog park and picnic permit sales
- Free District publications and trail maps
- Convenient access to the surrounding preserve and trail system
- The facility is accessible, dog friendly and open to the public free of charge.
Explore the preserve
The surrounding preserve and trail system provide opportunities for year-round recreation.
Horse trailer parking is available for equestrian visitors using the Wauponsee Glacial Trail.
Upcoming events
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Bat Night for Adults
Enjoy an evening watching bats emerge from their sleeping quarters and “listening” for bats while discovering some fascinating facts about these flying mammals.
Volunteer Morning: Monee Reservoir
Get some fresh air and exercise while helping to make a difference in your community by attending one or more of the Forest Preserve’s volunteer mornings.
Hummingbird Hangout
Hang out in Plum Creek Nature Center’s hummingbird courtyard to watch as they come and go from our hummingbird nectar buffet.
Latest headlines
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Wild Relatives: The diminutive elf owl
The tiny elf owl is the world's smallest raptor, and it thrives hunting insects and more in the desert climate where it lives.
Kindergarten teacher gets A+ for contest-winning bumblebee photo
Nancy "Gaby" Valladolid snapped July's winning shot at Isle a la Cache preserve. The contest continues through Dec. 31.
Field day digs into soil health at Jackson Creek Preserve
Farm Bureau event showcases organic farming and regenerative agriculture practices.
Frequently asked questions
There are many opportunities to volunteer with us. Visit the volunteer information page for more information.
Yes, but a permit is required along with a $25-per-hour fee. To obtain a permit, an application should be completed and sent to [email protected].
The Forest Preserve District of Will County does not provide rehabilitation services or support for animals found on District or private property.
The state of Illinois provides guidance on its Wildlife Illinois website, including a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
In addition, there are regional wildlife rehabilitation centers in other counties that may be of assistance including the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in Glen Ellyn and Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in Barrington.
If you find an injured bird, you can call Chicago Bird Collision Monitors at 773-988-1867 (you cannot text). The agency is staffed by volunteers who might be available to transport the injured bird to a rehabilitation facility.
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.