The Forest Preserve District of Will County has over 30 picnic shelters found in various preserves throughout the county.
A permit is required for all groups of 25 or more to use a shelter. The largest shelter, Bluegill Hill Shelter at Monee Reservoir, can accommodate up to 200 people. Shelter amenities vary by shelter, but all include wheelchair accessible picnic tables, grills and accessible latrines.
If you are looking for the perfect venue for your next family picnic or celebration, search below for a picnic shelter near you.
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If you are interested in hosting a public event in a Forest Preserve, download the 2020 Event Application.
How to Get a Picnic Permit
Shelters and groves are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits for rentals in a calendar year become available on the first business day of the new year. No tentative reservations are issued.
Renters must be 18 years or older to obtain a permit. A permit must be obtained no less than two business days prior to the reservation date. This means that reservations for the upcoming weekend must be made by close-of-business (4 p.m.) on Wednesday.
All reservations must be made in-person or online. Reservations are not taken over the phone. A permit can be purchased at any of the following visitor centers:
- Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet
- Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville
- Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township
- Monee Reservoir, Monee Township (This visitor center only permits the shelters and grove at its location.)
For the Four Rivers Shelter in Channahon, check availability and arrange for rental by calling 815.722.9470.
A permit grants exclusive use of a shelter for the entire day. You may access the shelter beginning at 8 a.m. and must exit at the following times based on the season of your reservation:
- Summer: 8 p.m.
- Fall/Spring: 6 p.m.
- Winter: 4 p.m.
Some conditions apply when bringing certain equipment or activities into the preserve. Any inflatable bounce house being brought to the preserve must be provided by a District Approved Vendor:
- The Bouncy Store Party and Event Rentals, Inc. – 630.554.2499
14 Stone Hill Rd., Oswego, IL 60543
- Bounce City Party Rentals, Inc. – 708.829.2652
14517 Samuel Adams Dr., Plainfield, IL 60544
- Party Hoppers, Inc. – 815.603.4377
16002 S River Rd., Plainfield, IL 60586
- Moontastic Bouncers – 8155 .514.8836
13050 S Elizabeth Dr., Plainfield, IL 60585
- Happy Bouncers Party Rentals – 815.272.4213
442 Arnold Ave., Romeoville, IL 60446
- Bounce Houses R Us – 630.903.6800
771 S. Swain, Elmhurst, IL 60126
- JMN Jumpers LLC – 855.566.5867
40 North West Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Bounce Town – 630.820.8460
126 Kirkland Circle, Oswego, IL 60543
- Dino Jump LLC – 800.383.3466
325 N Marley Rd., New Lenox, IL 60451
- Bounce My House – 708.586.7360
5800 W. 105th St., Oak Lawn, IL 60453
The District offers two shelters with electricity, Kerry Sheridan Grove and Riverview Farm.
Picnic Permit Fees
Picnic Shelters
Will County Resident: $70
Nonresident: $140
Large Capacity Shelter
The Bluegill Hill Shelter at Monee Reservoir in Monee can accommodate up to 200 people. Call 815.727.8700 or go online to check availability.
- Will County Resident: $100
- Nonresident: $200
Picnic Grove
The Monee Grove at Monee Reservoir in Monee has a capacity of 100 people. Call 708.534.8499 to check availability.
- Will County Resident: $40
- Nonresident: $80
Picnic Permit Rules and Regulations
The following rules and regulations must be agreed to prior to obtaining a picnic permit. Please read if you are interested in obtaining a picnic 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 must be present during the reservation.
- 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 permit holder must submit a certificate of insurance listing the Forest Preserve District of Will County as Additionally Insured if a caterer or food/beverage truck will be present.
- DJs and amplified music are only allowed at select picnic shelters.
- Inflatable bounce houses must be supplied by an FPDWC approved vendor. Inflatable water slides are prohibited.
- Changes to the date or location of this permit must be done no less than 2 business days prior to the reservation.
- Refunds will not be given for canceled reservations. The District is not responsible for permitted events canceled due to inclement weather.
- The District reserves the right to close and/or limit access within the preserves during regular hours when safety and/or weather conditions warrant such actions.
- The District assumes no liability for injuries that occur as a result of the permitted event.
- No driving or parking on the grass, sidewalks, or trails. Vehicles are only permitted in designated parking areas and on roadways.
- Gathering firewood is prohibited. Please help us reduce the risk of spreading Emerald Ash Borer, please obtain firewood within a 50-mile radius of the preserve. Do not transport firewood across state lines in accordance with mandates from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
- 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.
- Cutting trees, limbs, or shrubs is prohibited.
- Fireworks and other pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited.
- The sale and/or solicitation of any product or service is prohibited.
- Use of devices capable of discharging a projectile is prohibited.
- Glitter, rice, silly string, confetti, birdseed, and water balloons are prohibited.
- Music should not be audible beyond the immediate vicinity nor should it disturb other visitors or permitted groups.
- Do not mark on or affix anything (tents, signs, banners, balloons, piñatas, etc.) to trees, District signs, shelters, structures, or buildings. Strapping, pinning, gluing, or stapling to any shelter post, table, or other District structure is prohibited.
- Pets must be leashed. Leashes in excess of 10 feet are not allowed. Owners must clean up after pets.
- All trash must be cleaned up and placed in designated trash receptacles upon departure.
- Permit holder and all guests must exit the preserve at the end time listed on the permit.
- Call 911 in an emergency.
- In a non-emergency, call the Will County Sheriff's dispatch at 815.727.6191 to reach a Forest Preserve officer.