Colvin Grove Preserve
Hours
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
Rock Run Greenway Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
The 175-acre Colvin Grove Preserve in Joliet contributes to the protection of natural areas in the region, while providing recreational opportunities for the public.
Planning your visit
Colvin Grove is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
Amenities and activities
- Fishing: Colvin Grove offers shoreline fishing at a detention pond within the preserve. State and District regulations apply.
- Trails: Colvin Grove Preserve provides access to the 11.29-mile paved Rock Run Greenway Trail, ideal for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Rock Run Greenway Trail and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ I&M Canal State Trail both connect to the 4.36-mile paved Joliet Junction Trail to create a 16-mile, mostly paved loop trail.
Flora and fauna
Colvin Grove Preserve protects a diversity of habitats, including forest, wetland and a portion of Rock Run. Wildlife found at the preserve includes a variety of bird species. The preserve is also home to a variety of plant species, including small skullcap.
Preserve history
Colvin Grove Preserve was acquired between 1991 and 2007. The preserve is part of the Rock Run preservation system, which protects more than 1,400 acres.
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Upcoming events
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Flotsam River Circus
Join us as we host the Flotsam River Circus on the shore of the Des Plaines River.
Hispanic Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt
Stop by Hidden Lakes Trout Farm for una busqueda del tesoro, aka treasure hunt or scavenger hunt, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Volunteer Morning: Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve
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.
Latest headlines
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Family-owned woodland acquired for new Horse Creek Preserve
126-acre acquisition protects wildlife habitat and future trail opportunities in Custer Township.
Five fast facts about mighty muskrats
Get to know these semiaquatic mammals that are common across Illinois.
Spider season has arrived in a big way
Around this time, spiders seem to pop up everywhere, and so do their webs, including some impressive orb webs created by garden spiders.
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.
Prescribed fire is a carefully planned activity, and controlled burns are conducted under specific weather conditions by trained professionals. Many Illinois ecosystems — including prairie, oak savanna and woodland — evolved with periodic fire. Prescribed burning helps:
- Control invasive species
- Encourage native plant growth
- Recycle nutrients
- Maintain healthy ecosystem structure
Burns are conducted with public safety as the top priority.
Sites are prioritized based on ecological quality, presence of rare species or communities, restoration potential and their importance in supporting larger landscape-level conservation goals. Protecting and buffering the best remaining natural areas ensures the greatest long-term ecological benefit.
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.