Since 1925, the Forest Preserve District has worked to preserve and restore Kane County's natural areas, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance the quality of life for all Kane County residents. We invite you to visit the forest preserves and enjoy a quiet walk, embark on a camping weekend, picnic with friends and family, learn about nature, bird watch, fish, golf, ride, volunteer, or simply experience the wonder of our more than 20,000 of acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies. No matter the time of year, there's plenty to see and do in your Kane County forest preserves.
Preserves are open every day, sunrise to sunset.
For information about the Kane Forest Preserve Foundation, or to Adopt a Turtle, see the Get Involved section of this website.
SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS/REOPENING PLANS:
5/21/2020 Update: Due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County has the following closures, cancellations and schedule adjustments:
Forest preserves and trails are (and have been) open regular hours, sunrise to sunset, each day. Various District facilities are currently closed, including all restrooms, shelters, Creek Bend Nature Center, the Barbara Belding Lodge at Brewster Creek, and District campgrounds. All nature programs, volunteer events and facility reservations scheduled through May 31, have been canceled.
Campgrounds reopen to the public on Friday, May 29: Social-distancing protocols should continue to be followed. We may not have firewood available for purchase during the early part of the campground season. Campers are encouraged to bring their own.
Facilities reopening: Shelters will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 30. Creek Bend Nature Center and the Barbara Belding Lodge will reopen to the public on Monday, June 1. Again, please follow social-distancing protocols. Gatherings of 10 or more people will not be permitted. You may be asked to wait to enter a facility, until less than 10 people are present. Preserve bathrooms will slowly be phased back in, at a later date. Nature programs will resume with 10-person maximums, June 1.
Nature Virtually Everywhere: For those who choose not to come out to the preserves at this time, we'll bring the Kane County Forest Preserves to you! See our new "
Nature Virtually Everywhere" series of nature programs. More information is available
here.
Social-distancing: Governor Pritzker's Executive Orders underscore the need for people to exercise and recreate in public open spaces. We ask everyone to please follow all Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines: wear a mask; follow social-distancing guidelines, avoid close contact, keep a minimum distance of six feet from those who live outside your home; stay home if you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and frequently clean your hands. For more information on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Kane County Health Department or the CDC.
As always, in cases of emergency, please call 911. To reach our police department for non-emergencies, call 630-232-8400.
