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/Pandemic response:
Throughout the pandemic, Kane County forest preserves and trails have remained open during regular hours, sunrise to sunset, every day.
November 20 Update: Covid 19 Tier 3 mitigations are in effect beginning Friday, November 20, 2020.
- Outdoors: All forest preserves and trails remain open regular hours, sunrise to sunset. We ask preserve patrons to Do Your Part to keep preserves open and safe for everyone. Please be aware that under Tier 3 mitigation measures, gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people. All program attendees must register in advance, wear a mask throughout the program, and maintain adequate social distancing. Outside shelter reservations are limited to 10 people, as long as social distancing can be maintained. Volunteer Restoration Workdays are suspended.
- Indoors: Creek Bend Nature Center and the Barbara Belding Lodge are closed. All indoor nature programs are canceled, rescheduled and/or converted to online-only, while Tier 3 mitigations are in effect. If you are currently registered for an indoor nature program, you will receive an email from the naturalist staff, with further details on your program. All indoor facility rentals, including weddings, are canceled while Tier 3 mitigations are in effect. If you have a facility rental during this time, you will receive an email from our facility assistant with information on rescheduling your event.
- Links to the full Restore Illinois plan may be found here. 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 Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Kane County Health Department or the CDC. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
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 "Nature Virtually Everywhere" series of nature programs. More information is available here.
Public Meetings: Until further notice, all public meetings of the Forest Preserve District will take place at the Kane County Government Center. Click here for more info. To view slides or hear livestream audio of District meetings, visit our YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/fpdkc or click below:
Click Here To View/Hear Livestream
