Four Rivers Environmental Education Center
Location
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is located at 25055 W. Walnut Lane, off of Blackberry Lane south of Bridge Street, in Channahon.
Hours
Visitor center
Wednesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Preserve
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
All Persons Trail
Backwater Trail
Four Rivers Nature Trail
Prairie Loop Trail
South Loop Trail
Woodland Loop Trail
Preserve
McKinley Woods — Kerry Sheridan Grove
Phone
815-722-9470
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is an inclusive destination where visitors can connect with nature through education, recreation and exploration in a beautiful riverfront setting.
Located in McKinley Woods near the meeting point of the Des Plaines, DuPage and Kankakee rivers, Four Rivers offers memorable indoor and outdoor experiences for visitors of all abilities. The visitor center features engaging exhibits, scenic views and direct access to the surrounding natural areas.
The visitor center offers year-round public and school programs, accessible amenities and adaptive resources, as well as facility rentals for meetings, events and weddings.
Inclusive for all
Four Rivers is accredited by the National Inclusion Project and strives to provide welcoming and accessible experiences for everyone. Features include:
- An All-Persons Trail with tactile strips and sensory elements
- Quiet spaces with therapeutic tools and buddy bags
- Handheld reading devices for visually impaired visitors
- Inclusion-trained staff and adaptive programming
- Access to an all-terrain GRIT Freedom Chair for preserve trails
Explore the visitor center
Inside, guests can enjoy hands-on exhibits that highlight the region’s rivers and wildlife, including:
- A 2,000-gallon fish tank with native species
- An interactive “Mussel Masquerade” exhibit
- Birdwatching displays and migration activities
- A floor map of the preserve and waterways
Large windows throughout the building offer peaceful views of the surrounding landscape.
Explore the preserve
The surrounding preserve is known for its rich wildlife, including bald eagles and American white pelicans. Visitors can enjoy walking and biking trails, canoeing and kayaking along the rivers, and prairie and woodland exploration.
Weddings and rentals
Host your next event in a unique, nature-inspired setting. Four Rivers offers:
- Wedding ceremonies and receptions
- Meeting and event spaces
- Scenic river views from every room
Group outings
While groups of 25 or more are welcome to the preserve and the visitor center, a special use permit is required in advance. Call 815-722-9470 for more information.
Upcoming programs
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These Books Are Made for Walkin’
Four Rivers is collaborating with the Three Rivers Public Library District for a book club on the go! This month’s book is “Hummingbird Salamander” by Jeff VanderMeer.
Lookalike Hike
Copycats are everywhere in the natural world, so join a naturalist on a hike and discover how to tell some similar-looking plants and animals apart.
Coffee at the Confluence
Experience the joys of seated birdwatching while drinking bird-friendly cold brew coffee.
Latest headlines
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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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
There is no admission fee for visitor centers because we are tax supported.
Visit the visitor centers page for more information about each of our visitor centers, including their hours of operation.
A picnic permit can be obtained in person at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Monee Reservoir in Monee Township or Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township, Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. A reservation can also be made online. Please note, Monee Reservoir only issues permits for the shelters and grove at Monee Reservoir. Reservations must be made at least two business days in advance of the reservation date.
To reserve the shelter at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, call 815-722-9470.
Visit the picnicking page for more information.
Whalon Lake in Naperville and Rock Run Rookery Preserve in Joliet offer fishing lakes where the District allows the launch of fishing boats (trolling motors only). Boating is also allowed at Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Channahon and Monee Reservoir in Monee Township, but only boats that can be transported in or on top of a vehicle and carried or rolled by hand cart to the lake are permitted at these preserves. There is no boat trailer parking at the Lake Chaminwood or Monee Reservoir. Canoes and kayaks may also be launched at all four preserves; no launch pass is required at any location.
Canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedalboats may be rented from Monee Reservoir as well.
Boats may be launched between April 1 and Oct. 31. For more information about the use of watercraft in District preserves, visit the boating page or the canoeing/kayaking page.
Fishing is allowed in any forest preserve unless otherwise posted. Visit the fishing page for more information.