Teale Woods Preserve

Location

Teale Woods Preserve is located on Center Street, south of Theodore Street, in Joliet. Street parking is available on Center Street.

View Teale Woods interactive map

Hours

8 a.m.-sunset

Trails

Teale Woods Trail

Phone

815-727-8700

Activities

Spanning 14 acres, Teale Woods Preserve protects forest habitat and reflects the legacy of naturalist Edwin Way Teale, a Joliet native who championed the importance of small “wild” spaces in everyday landscapes.

Exploring the preserve

Teale Woods features 0.3 mile of paved trail, ideal for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Flora and fauna

The preserve protects forest habitat that supports local plant and animal life.

Preserve history

Teale Woods Preserve was acquired in 1994. It is part of the Des Plaines River preservation system, which protects 2,600 acres.

The road to 24,000 acres

The Forest Preserve District sprouted up in 1926 and has continued to save land from development.

Five facts about cedar waxwings

With the leaves off the trees is when it is a great time to easily spot these birds in large numbers.

Meet our Trailblazers: Adam Oestmann

The District's deputy director has spent decades on the maintenance and operations side and loves being outdoors.

Flora and fauna

The preserve protects forest habitat that supports local plant and animal life.

Preserve history

Teale Woods Preserve was acquired in 1994. It is part of the Des Plaines River preservation system, which protects 2,600 acres.

(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)

A yellow-orange full moon peeking out from behind leafy tree branches.

Full Moon: After Hours at the Reservoir

July 29, 2026 | 7:30 P.M TO 9:00 P.M

Join us beneath the glow of the moon to listen to the wildlife that is active at night.

An adult with a hand to their ear standing in the woods in front of a group of six young kids. Some of the kids also have their hands to their ears and one has their arm raised.

Wild Child

July 31, 2026 | 10:00 A.M TO 11:00 A.M

Answer the call of your wild child by getting outside with this monthly nature-themed program geared toward children ages 3 to 5.

Yellow beeswax candles hanging to dry on a wooden rack with chunks of beeswax laying on a wooden table.

Wicks and Wonder Walk for Seniors

July 31, 2026 | 6:00 P.M TO 7:30 P.M

Slow down, take a deep breath and reconnect with nature through your sense of smell.

A wooden bridge spanninng a canal with blue sky above. The canal is lined by trees.

Wander at Will: A case of the summer doldrums

July 24, 2026 | Recreation

Not everyone loves summer, and that's OK. If you need a break from this relentless season, cater your time outside to what you like best.

A coati on a large branch with leafy trees surrounding it.

Wild Relatives: The coati, which might remind you of a mammal in Illinois

July 23, 2026 | Nature and wildlife

Get to the know the coati — a highly adaptable and can live in many different types of habitat.

A police officer speaks with a child while at a National Night Out event.

National Night Out brings police, community together at Monee Reservoir

July 22, 2026 | Programs and events

The event is set for 5-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

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.

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.

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions: Concealed Carry page for information about firearms in the District's forest preserves and visitor centers.

Teale Woods Preserve

Location

Hours

Trails

Phone