Winter Activities

Preserve hours are sunrise - sunset, 365 days a year

Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing 

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are allowed on all preserves, however, the Forest Preserve District does not groom trails. Please avoid skiing or snowshoeing in state nature preserve areas.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is not allowed at or from any forest preserve.

Sledding

Sledding is at your own risk.  Popular sled hills within the District include:

• Fabyan Forest Preserve (sledding hours are extended Friday & Saturday evenings)
• Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
• Oakhurst Forest Preserve

Snowboarding

See Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park for snowboarding information.

Snowmobiling

All state and local regulations pertaining to the operation of snowmobiles apply. There must be a minimum of 4 inches of snow and the ground must be frozen for snowmobiling to be permitted.

Snowmobiling is allowed at the following preserves:

• Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve (transit through preserve only on Regional Trail)
• Campton Forest Preserve (on internal, marked trails only)
• Glenwood Park Forest Preserve (on the Batavia Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path)
• Great Western Trail (west of Wasco, only)
• Hampshire Forest Preserve
• Rutland Forest Preserve (transit through preserve only on Regional Trail)

Snowmobiling hours for preserves and trails with the exception of the Great Western Trail, west of Wasco, are sunrise to sunset. Snowmobiling on the Great Western Trail (west of Wasco, only) is permitted from sunrise to 11 p.m. The snowmobiling speed limit on all preserves and trails is 15 mph with the exception of the Great Western Trail, west of Wasco, which is 35 mph.

Please note, effective October 2009, snowmobiling is no longer permitted at Oakhurst Forest Preserve.