Riverview Farmstead Preserve
Location
Riverview Farmstead Preserve is located on Book Road, south of Hassert Boulevard/111th Street, in Naperville.
Hours
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
DuPage River Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
The 430-acre Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Naperville protects prairie habitat and a portion of the DuPage River, offering a blend of natural beauty and cultural history.
Riverview Farmstead was once home to a 19th-century farmstead settled by the Clow family. Today, several historic structures remain, including a mid-1800s limestone house, an early frame residence later converted to a barn, and a large timber frame barn.
Planning your visit
Riverview Farmstead is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
Amenities and activities
- Canoeing and kayaking: A canoe and kayak launch provides access to the DuPage River. No launch pass is required.
- Fishing: Shoreline fishing is available along the DuPage River. State and District regulations apply.
- Picnicking: Riverview Farmstead Shelter is available for rental, with a capacity of 50 people.
- Trail: Riverview Farmstead Preserve provides access to a 0.83-mile paved segment of the DuPage River Trail, ideal for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Flora and fauna
Riverview Farmstead supports a wide range of wildlife, including big brown bats, osprey, Bell’s vireo and dickcissels. The preserve is also home to more than 500 plant species.
Ongoing habitat restoration helps maintain and enhance the preserve’s prairie and river ecosystems.
Preserve history
The preserve was acquired between 1994 and 2012 and is part of the DuPage River preservation system, which protects nearly 1,800 acres.
Upcoming events
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Volunteer Morning: Riverview Farmstead 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.
Boats, Bats and Barns: The Riverview Nightlife Experience!
Experience Riverview Farmstead like never before with a paddle on the DuPage River followed by a tour of the Riverview barn to explore the fascinating world of bats.
Riverview Boat and Barn Tour
Experience Riverview Farmstead like never before with a kayaking trip on the DuPage River followed by an exploration of the farmstead buildings.
Latest headlines
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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.
Wander at Will: A rare sight at Lake Renwick Migratory Bird Viewing
With a goal of becoming a better birder, Meghan headed to a Lake Renwick Migratory Bird Viewing on a Saturday morning in June to learn more about some of our feathered friends.
Project Update: Messenger Woods reopens with completion of new entrance road
Replacement of the deteriorating entrance road at Messenger Woods Nature Preserve has been completed, and the preserve has reopened.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Any for-profit photographer must obtain a permit before taking photos or videos in a District preserve. The fee for a photography permit is $25 per hour. Commercial filming permits are $125 for a half day, $250 for a full day, and $1,000 for a week. Permit applications are available on the Photography and Videography permit page. We do not offer annual permits at this time.
Fishing is allowed in any forest preserve unless otherwise posted. Visit the fishing page for more information.
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.
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.