McKinley Woods outdoor rentals
Locations
McKinley Woods has two access areas with outdoor rentals:
- McKinley Woods – Frederick's Grove is located on McKinley Woods Road, south of Route 6/Eames Street in Channahon.
- McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove is located on Walnut Lane, east of Blackberry Lane in Channahon.
Hours
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
Frederick's Grove
Heritage Trail, I&M Canal State Trail, Trail of the Old Oaks and Upland Trail
Kerry Sheridan Grove
All Persons Trail, Backwater Trail, Four Rivers Nature Trail, I&M Canal State Trail, Prairie Loop Trail, South Loop Trail and Woodland Loop Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
815-722-9470
McKinley Woods has three shelters at Frederick's Grove and Kerry Sheridan Grove, 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
Frederick's Grove Shelter
Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 30 people
Riverbend Lookout Shelter
Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 50 people
Kerry Sheridan Grove Shelter
Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents (includes electricity)
Capacity: 90 people
The Four Rivers Shelter and the Riverbend Shelter also are available for rentals but must be booked by calling Four Rivers Environmental Education Center. More information about this shelter can be found on the wedding venues page.
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
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.
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.
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.