Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Location

Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located at 419 Trout Farm Road, north of Boughton Road in Bolingbrook.

Phone

815-722-4121 (Hidden Oaks Nature Center)

815-722-4612 (Tackle Box bait shop)

Hours

Visitor center

Wednesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday: Closed

Preserve

6 a.m.-sunset April to October
8 a.m.-sunset November to March

On social media

Like the Hidden Oaks Nature Center Facebook page to get news updates, photos, videos and information about upcoming programs at this visitor center.

Activities

Preserves

Trails

Events


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Hidden Oaks Nature Center offers visitors a place to learn about the natural environment around them, with hands-on exhibits, live reptiles and interactive play elements. Offerings and amenities include:

Group outings

While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to visit the nature center and preserve facilities, they are required to get a special use permit in advance to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts. Please contact the nature center at 815-722-4121 for more information. 

Visitor center amenities

The following permits are available for purchase at the nature center:

  • Camping permits
  • Dog park permits
  • Picnic permits

The nature center is open to the public free of charge.

Preserve amenities

The preserve surrounding Hidden Oaks Nature Center offers the following amenities and activities:   

  • Biking   
  • Hiking/running
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Picnicking
  • Fishing
The bridge at Hidden Lakes.
(Photo courtesy of Carlos Molano)
A Hidden Oaks sign and a structure of three children on a log.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
The bridge at Hidden Lakes.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
A preserve visitor fishing.
(Photo by Chad Merda)
Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
A bench at Hidden Lakes.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Black-eyed Susans.
Black-eyed Susans. (Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Mallards swimming in the water.
Mallards. (Photo by Chad Merda)
The bridge at Hidden Lakes.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)