Messenger Woods Nature Preserve
Location
Messenger Woods Nature Preserve is located on Bruce Road, east of Cedar Road in Homer Glen.
Hours
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
South Loop Trail
North Loop Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
Spanning 549 acres, Messenger Woods Nature Preserve in Homer Glen features a diverse mix of forest, prairie, savanna and wetland habitats, along with a portion of Spring Creek, supporting a wide variety of plant and animal life.
Messenger Woods holds a special place in the Forest Preserve District’s history. A 144-acre portion of the site was the District’s first land acquisition in 1930. The most recent purchase was made in 2026 and added 106 acres to the property.
Planning your visit
Messenger Woods is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
To protect the preserve’s sensitive habitats and wildlife, dogs are not allowed on the North Loop and South Loop trails.
Amenities and activities
- Camping: The preserve offers four primitive campsites for family or group rental, each accommodating up to six people and providing access to fire pits and latrines. Two sites are ADA-accessible with concrete pads and grills, while two are on natural surface terrain.
- Picnicking: Two picnic shelters — Hawthorn Grove Shelter and Oak Knoll Shelter — are available for rental, each with a capacity of 100 people.
- Trails: Messenger Woods Nature Preserve offers 1.87 miles of natural surface trail within the preserve for hiking and running. An additional 1.36 miles of natural surface trail outside the designated nature preserve is available for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Flora and fauna
Messenger Woods supports a variety of wildlife, including more than 60 bird species. The preserve is especially known for its spring wildflower displays, featuring blue-eyed Mary, showy trillium, wild geranium and hepatica.
Ongoing management efforts — including prescribed burning, invasive species control and habitat restoration — help maintain and enhance these ecosystems. The preserve has also benefited from a tree mitigation project funded by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, which has added more than 800 trees and shrubs.
Preserve history
Messenger Woods Nature Preserve was acquired between 1930 and 2026. A 407-acre portion of the site was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1994 and 1999, ensuring permanent protection of its natural resources. The preserve is part of the Spring Creek preservation system, which protects more than 2,200 acres of interconnected natural areas.
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Upcoming events
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It’s Giving … Illinois
Visit Plum Creek Nature Center for an interactive hike to learn about our state icons.
WonderKids: Frogs!
Bring your little ones to Isle a la Cache Museum for WonderKids. This month's program will be all about frogs.
Adult Firefly Night Hike: Hidden Oaks
Join a naturalist for an evening firefly hike that will include an introduction to these bioluminescent insects.
Latest headlines
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Oldest preserve expansion pushes acreage past 24,000 milestone
A nearly 106-acre land acquisition adjacent to Messenger Woods Nature Preserve expands one of the District’s oldest sites.
Warbler wows judges for Preserve the Moment photo contest win
Channahon woman’s split-second warbler shot earns top honors in June’s Preserve the Moment photo contest.
Why are lightning bugs disappearing?
Lightning bugs aren't as common as they once were, but there are things you can do at home to protect these summertime staples.
Frequently asked questions
Camping permits may be obtained online or in-person at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township or Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. Reservations also can be made online; reservations for campsites must be made two business days in advance of the reservation date.
Youth group camping can only be booked over the phone by calling any of the above visitor centers. A 50 percent discount is offered to youth group organizations.
Visit the camping page for more information.
No, all camping reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance.
Each campsite includes picnic tables and grills for cooking and is near bathroom facilities, drinking water and trails. Some campsites are near fishing opportunities as well. Only primitive camping is allowed, with no accommodation for recreational vehicles (RVs). Visit the camping page for more information.
Leashed dogs are welcome in the forest preserves, excluding natural surface trails in areas designated as state nature preserves. With a permit, dogs are allowed off-leash in designated dog parks only. Visit the dog park 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.
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.