Hickory Creek Preserve outdoor rentals
Location
Hickory Creek Preserve has three access points with rentable shelters:
- Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve is located on Schoolhouse Road, north of Route 30/Lincoln Highway, in New Lenox Township.
- Hickory Creek Junction is located on Route 30/Lincoln Highway, west of Wolf Road, in Frankfort Township.
- Hickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte Road Access is located on LaPorte Road, east of Wolf Road, in Mokena.
Hours
Sunrise-sunset
Trails
Hickory Creek Bikeway
Hickory Creek Junction Nature Trail
Hickory Creek Nature Trail
LaPorte Road Bikeway
LaPorte Road Nature Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
Hickory Creek Preserve has four shelters available at Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve, Hickory Creek Junction and the LaPorte Road Access, and a permit is required for all groups of 25 or more to use a shelter. Groups smaller than 25 also can purchase a permit, which grants exclusive use of a shelter for the entire day.
Reservations must be made at least two business days in advance of the reservation date.
CHECK SHELTER AVAILABILITY AND BOOK ONLINE
You may access the shelter beginning at 8 a.m. You must clean up and exit the preserve by sunset.
All reservations must be made in person or online. Reservations are not taken over the phone. A permit can be purchased at any of the following visitor centers:
- Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon
- Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook
- Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville
- Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township
- Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet
Hickory Creek Barrens Shelter
Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 60 people
Hickory Creek Junction Shelter
Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 120 people
Hickory Hollow Shelter (LaPorte Road)
Cost: $100 for residents and $200 for nonresidents
Capacity: 150 people
Shagbark Grove Shelter (LaPorte Road)
Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 90 people
Permit capacity is based on a number of factors, including number of picnic tables under each shelter, seating allocated for wheelchair access, parking, trail use and preserve amenities. Please also note that parking is open to all preserve users and is not allocated solely for those reserving the shelters.
Preserve amenities including the shelter, latrine, information board and shelter picnic tables are located on accessible routes and are accessible to persons with disabilities.
The complete list of fees for all the District's shelters, along with rules and allowable special requests can be found on the picnicking page.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Alcohol is allowed in all forest preserves without any special permission unless there is signage posted prohibiting alcohol in a particular area. For example, alcohol is prohibited inside of the District's dog parks.
The sale of alcohol is prohibited.
Yes, additional tables and chairs are permitted but must stay within the vicinity of the shelter. To get a full list of what is allowed, visit our picnicking page.
Only three shelters located in our preserves have access to electricity.
Propane grills are allowed at all shelters but must stay within the vicinity of the shelter. To get a full list of what is allowed, visit our picnicking page.