Monee Reservoir outdoor rentals
Location
Monee Reservoir is located on Ridgeland Avenue, south of Pauling Road, in Monee Township.
Hours
Preserve
April-October: 6 a.m.-sunset
November-March: 8 a.m.-sunset
Visitor center
Open hours vary seasonally. See visitor center page for full list of hours.
Trails
Monee Reservoir Nature Trail
Phone
815-722-9303
Monee Reservoir has two shelters, one grove and one amphitheater available, and a permit is required for all groups of 25 or more. Groups smaller than 25 also can purchase a permit, which grants exclusive use for the entire day for a shelter or for the rental period for the amphitheater.
Reservations must be made at least two business days in advance of the reservation date.
Shelters
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
- Monee Reservoir, Monee Township
- Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet
Bluegill Hill Shelter
Cost: $100 for residents and $200 for nonresidents
Capacity: 200 people
Catfish Corner Shelter
Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 75 people
Monee Grove
Cost: $45 for residents and $90 for nonresidents
Capacity: 50 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.
Amphitheater
The amphitheater is a theater-style gathering space for groups to host presentations, performances and workshops. The amphitheater cannot be reserved online. To check availability or to reserve a rental, call Monee Reservoir at 815-722-9303.
Full-day rental: $50
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.