Hickory Creek Preserve
Locations
Hickory Creek Preserve has three access points:
- Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve is located on Schoolhouse Road, north of Route 30/Lincoln Highway, in New Lenox Township.
- Hickory Creek Junction is located on Route 30/Lincoln Highway, west of Wolf Road, in Frankfort Township.
- Hickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte Road Access is located on LaPorte Road, east of Wolf Road, in Mokena.
Hours
Sunrise-sunset
Trails
Hickory Creek Bikeway
Hickory Creek Junction Nature Trail
Hickory Creek Nature Trail
LaPorte Road Bikeway
LaPorte Road Nature Trail
Route 30 Bikeway
Phone
815-727-8700
Hickory Creek Preserve spans a diverse landscape of forest, prairie, savanna and wetland habitats. The 1,614-acre preserve offers expansive natural areas and connections to several regional trails, making it a hub for both exploration and recreation.
Planning your visit
Hickory Creek Preserve is open sunrise to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
Access locations include Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve in New Lenox Township, Hickory Creek Junction in Frankfort Township and Hickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte Road Access in Mokena. With three access points, visitors can experience different features of the preserve, from protected natural areas to trail connections that extend across Will County.
Dogs are not allowed on the Hickory Creek Junction nature trail.
Exploring the preserve
Hickory Creek Preserve features a rich mosaic of habitats, including woodlands, open prairies, wetlands and a portion of Hickory Creek. These varied environments create opportunities for both quiet nature exploration and active outdoor recreation.
Trail connections link the preserve to several regional routes.
Amenities and activities
- Picnicking: Four shelters are available for rental across the preserve. Hickory Creek Barrens Shelter (capacity 60), Hickory Creek Junction Shelter (capacity 120), Hickory Hollow Shelter at LaPorte Road Access (capacity 150) and Shagbark Grove Shelter at LaPorte Road Access (capacity 90) provide spaces for gatherings.
- Hickory Creek Bikeway: The preserve includes both eastern and western paved segments of the Hickory Creek Bikeway, connecting multiple access areas and offering opportunities for biking, hiking and seasonal recreation.
- Regional trail access: Visitors can connect to the Route 30 Bikeway and the Old Plank Road Trail, expanding opportunities for longer rides and hikes.
- Natural surface trail: Hickory Creek Junction features 0.55 mile of natural surface trail, while LaPorte Road Access offers 1.16 mile, both suited for hiking, running and winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Flora and fauna
Hickory Creek Preserve supports a wide range of plant and animal life across its diverse habitats. More than 50 bird species have been recorded at this preserve, including pileated woodpeckers, yellow-rumped warblers, brown creepers and hermit thrushes.
The preserve is also home to notable plant species such as lead plant, beechwood sedge, yellow trout lily, prairie gentian and wild senna. Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve contains the largest population of the state-threatened savanna blazing star in Illinois, as well as the federally threatened Mead’s milkweed.
Preserve history
Hickory Creek Preserve was acquired between 1942 and 2010 and is the District’s largest individual preserve. Much of the land was originally acquired for a regional stormwater reservoir that was never constructed.
A 558-acre portion of Hickory Creek Barrens was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1998, providing permanent protection for its high-quality natural resources.
The preserve is part of the Hickory Creek preservation system, which protects nearly 1,800 acres.
Upcoming events
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Teacher Appreciation
Teachers are invited to Four Rivers Environmental Education Center for a day of adventure, relaxation and fun in appreciation of all they do.
Intro to Gardening for Wildlife
Discover how native plant gardening can help provide wildlife with year-round resources.
Teacher Appreciation
Teachers are invited to Four Rivers Environmental Education Center for a day of adventure, relaxation and fun in appreciation of all they do.
Latest headlines
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Forest Preserve renames Custer Township preserves
The change links one with Sand Ridge Savanna and assigning the other the name Kankakee Sands.
New website offers fresh look, better experience, same commitment to its visitors
The Forest Preserve District has launched a redesigned website featuring streamlined navigation, a revamped event calendar, faster performance and an improved mobile experience.
Project Update: Book Road trail conversion moves forward in Naperville
Work is underway to convert a closed section of Book Road into a 1-mile DuPage River Trail extension connecting to Riverview Farmstead.
Frequently asked questions
Electric-assist bicycles are allowed within the preserves as long as they meet certain requirements. The bikes must:
- Be low speed (an electric motor of less than 750 watts).
- Have a maximum speed of less than 20 miles per hour.
- Have functional pedals.
- Have a rider who is 16 years of age or older.
Per the District's General Use Ordinance, persons riding a bicycle must conform to federal and state bicycle laws.
There are many opportunities to volunteer with us. Visit the volunteer information page for more information.
Groups less than 25 people may use picnic groves and shelters on a first-come, first-served basis without a picnic permit if the picnic area is not already reserved. However, purchasing a picnic permit is recommended due to the high demand for picnic groves and shelters. A picnic permit will reserve your space. Picnic permits are required for groups that are 25 people or more. Visit the picnicking page for more information.
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.