Hidden Oaks Preserve
Location
Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located at 419 Trout Farm Road, north of Boughton Road in Bolingbrook.
Hours
Preserve
April to October: 6 a.m.-sunset
November to March: 8 a.m.-sunset
Visitor center
Wednesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Trails
Hidden Oaks Nature Trail
Note: The road leading down to Hidden Lakes Trout Farm, as well as the parking lot, closes each year on Nov. 1 (or after the first snowfall if it occurs sooner) and reopens on April 5. However, the trail leading down to Hidden Lakes Trout Farm is open year-round.
Phone
815-722-4121
(Hidden Oaks Nature Center)
815-722-4612
(Tackle Box bait shop)
At 36 acres, Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook offers a landscape rich with natural diversity, including prairie, forest and savanna habitats. Its trails and fishing access make it a convenient destination for outdoor recreation and exploration.
The preserve’s visitor center, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, provides a place to learn, explore and connect with nature. Visitors can enjoy live reptiles, a nature playscape, trail maps and Forest Preserve publications, along with year-round programs. Private rentals are also available.
Planning your visit
Hidden Oaks Preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Amenities and activities
- Fishing: Shoreline fishing is available at four lakes at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm. The Tackle Box bait shop offers bait, tackle, concessions, and fishing poles with closed-face spincast reels are available for free daily use.
- The Tackle Box bait shop has variable seasonal hours:
Early April-August: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
September-October: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- The Tackle Box bait shop has variable seasonal hours:
- Picnicking: Burr Oaks Shelter accommodates up to 50 people and is available for rental.
- Trails: A 0.39-mile paved segment of the DuPage River Trail runs through the preserve and connects to an additional 3.71 miles at Whalon Lake via a bridge over the East Branch of the DuPage River. The trail is suitable for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A separate 0.74-mile natural surface trail is available for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Flora and fauna
Hidden Oaks Preserve supports a mix of prairie, forest and savanna habitats. Wildlife commonly seen includes songbirds such as wrens, blue jays, robins, chickadees and brown creepers, along with raptors like hawks and woodpeckers. Mammals such as fox squirrels, gray squirrels, raccoons and opossums are present, as well as deer, wild turkey and garter snakes.
Plant life includes prairie species such as bergamot and goldenrod and spring ephemerals such as Dutchman’s breeches, cut-leaved toothwort and Virginia bluebells. Trees in the preserve include bur oak, maple and black cherry.
Preserve history
Hidden Oaks Preserve was acquired in 2022 and was previously owned and managed by the Bolingbrook Park District. The preserve is part of the DuPage River preservation system, which protects nearly 1,800 acres.
Upcoming events
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Free Fishing Days
Head to Hidden Lakes to take advantage of the free fishing weekend sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Feeding Time at Hidden Oaks
Join us as the animals that call Hidden Oaks home are fed and ask questions as you see these animals up close.
Fishing Under the Stars
We are keeping the gates open late for nighttime fishing at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm!
Latest headlines
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What you need to know about the lone star tick
Lone star ticks are grabbing headlines because they can cause people to develop an allergy to red meat. Learn how to identify them and how to prevent tick bites.
Vehicle access to be restricted at Lockport Prairie to protect at-risk wildlife
The move comes as a result of data showing increased turtle deaths on Division Street during nesting season.
One small gosling's rescue highlights a big problem in the preserves
A gosling tangled in fishing line got a second chance thanks to wildlife rescue volunteers. The rescue highlights the dangers discarded fishing line poses to wildlife.
Frequently asked questions
Anyone is allowed to shoreline fish at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm. However, individuals who are 16 years of age or older are required to have a current Illinois fishing license. All statewide fishing regulations apply.
Illinois fishing licenses may be purchased at The Tackle Box bait shop at Hidden Lakes.
Fishing poles with closed face, spincast reels are available for use for the day for free at Hidden Lakes.
Fish in the lakes include bluegill, sunfish, catfish, bass and trout.
The lakes are stocked at the opening of trout season each year and before each fishing derby.
Absolutely. However, dogs must be leashed at all times and must stay on the trails. They are also welcome in the nature center. Cleaning up dog waste is required by Forest Preserve ordinance.
There are no costs associated with visiting any of our preserves. Parking is always free, and so is admission to the nature center.