Isle a la Cache
Hours
Preserve
8 a.m.-sunset
Visitor center
Wednesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Trails
Isle a la Cache Nature Trail
Centennial Trail/Veterans Memorial Trail
Phone
815-722-9301
815-727-8700
Isle a la Cache in Romeoville blends natural landscapes with a rich cultural past along the Des Plaines River. The 107-acre preserve includes forest, prairie and wetland habitats to create a scenic setting for exploration, while the site’s history adds another layer of discovery.
The preserve’s visitor center, Isle a la Cache Museum, invites visitors to explore the area’s cultural heritage through exhibits and programs. The museum offers educational experiences for families, school groups and youth groups and is open to the public free of charge.
Planning your visit
Isle a la Cache is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
Isle a la Cache Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Amenities and activities
- Canoeing/kayaking: A canoe and kayak launch provides access to the Des Plaines River. No launch pass is required.
- Fishing: Shoreline fishing is available along the Des Plaines River. State and District regulations apply.
- Picnicking: The Island Shelter accommodates up to 150 people and is available for rental.
- Trails: Isle a la Cache features a 0.12-mile natural surface trail for hiking, running, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The preserve also connects via 135th Street to the 3.26-mile paved Centennial Trail/Veterans Memorial Trail and the 7.57-mile crushed limestone I&M Canal Trail, offering opportunities for biking, hiking, in-line skating, cross-countryskiingand snowshoeing.
Flora and fauna
Isle a la Cache protects a range of habitats, including forest, prairie, wetland and river corridor.
Wildlife includes bird species such as belted kingfishers and hooded mergansers.
Plant species found in the preserve include black ash and chinquapin oak.
Preserve history
Isle a la Cache was acquired between 1982 and 2014 and is part of the Des Plaines River preservation system, which protects 2,600 acres. Before the land was acquired, the area may have been used by French voyageurs in the 1700s as a place to cache supplies and goods traded with Native Americans.
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Upcoming events
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'Our Storytellers: Pokagon Potawatomi Black Ash Baskets' Exhibit
"Our Storytellers: Pokagon Potawatomi Black Ash Baskets” goes beyond the history and utility of black ash baskets, exploring the connections between craft, federal recognition, tribal resilience and the ongoing ecological threats to traditional ways of life for the Pokagon people.
WonderKids: Frogs!
Bring your little ones to Isle a la Cache Museum for WonderKids. This month's program will be all about frogs.
Moth Mania
Celebrate National Moth Week by exploring who is flying around Isle a la Cache and learning more about their adaptations and what makes them different from butterflies.
Latest headlines
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Isle a la Cache exhibit weaves together Pokagon Potawatomi stories, artistry
Black ash baskets made by Pokagon artists will be on display at Isle a la Cache Museum from July 1-Aug. 30.
Meteor shower activity really heats up in July
Shooting star activity will be heating up in July, with three meteor showers kicking off. A comet will also be visible in the night sky.
Half-price 2026 dog park permits go on sale July 1
Half-price 2026 dog park permits will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, July 1. The permits can be used at all six Forest Preserve dog parks through the end of 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Trailered boats cannot be launched at Isle a la Cache. However, the preserve does offer a public canoe and kayak launch on the Des Plaines River. No launch pass is required.
Leashed dogs are allowed in the preserve but must stay on the trails. However, they are prohibited from entering the museum to prevent potential damage to artwork, exhibits and artifacts, including both historic and contemporary objects. Cleaning up dog waste is required by Forest Preserve ordinance.
Yes, field trips are offered during the school year and remain free for Will County schools.
The longhouse and Traders Cabin are mostly used for school field trips. However, they are also open to the public on Museum Campus Days and during Living History Encounter programs. In addition, some public programs are hosted in these spaces. Please check the event calendar for upcoming programs.
There are no costs associated with visiting any of our preserves, and admission to the museum is free.
Yes, whether you rent a shelter or not, you are always welcome to visit the museum during the building’s open hours as well as fish from the shoreline, kayak and walk the trails anytime the preserve is open. Fishing does require a current Illinois fishing license for anyone 16 years of age or older.
Amateur photographers are welcome to take photos in the preserve, but photographers who are taking or will use the photos for profit are required to apply for and receive a photography permit.