Activities
and Facilities
Outdoor Report
Read the Outdoor Report for latest fishing conditions, wildlife sightings and other nature news.
Programs
and Events
For upcoming recreation-related programs and events, visit the Calendar of Events.
Questions?
Call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248, or e-mail forest@dupageforest.com.
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Wildlife Watching
One of the great benefits of DuPage County’s open spaces
Each DuPage County forest preserve features its own mix of resident native wildlife. With the help of a good field guide and the list of habitats below, visitors can pick forest preserves with the best surroundings for spotting their favorite species.
For recent wildlife sightings, visit the Outdoor Report or call (630) 871-6422. To view a list of animals that live in DuPage County’s forest preserves, download Wildlife in DuPage County.
Wildlife Watching Areas
Forest Preserve | Surface | Habitats | Maps |
Belleau Woods
in Wheaton | no developed trails | L,W
| |
Big Woods in Warrenville | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Blackwell
in Warrenville | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Brush Hill
in Oak Brook | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Churchill Woods
in Glen Ellyn | limestone,
turf | L,P,W |
|
Country Lakes
in Aurora | no developed trails | WT | |
Cricket Creek
in Addison | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Danada
in Wheaton | limestone,
wood chip | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Des Plaines Riverway
in Burr Ridge | no developed trails | L,P,W | |
Dunham
in Wayne | no developed trails | L,P,WT | |
East Branch
in Glendale Heights | mowed | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Egermann Woods
in Lisle | mowed | L,P,
WT,W | |
Fischer Woods
in Bensenville | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Fox Hollow
in Darien | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Fullersburg Woods
in Oak Brook | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Fullerton Park
in Addison | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Greene Valley
in Naperville | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Hawk Hollow
in Hanover Park | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Herrick Lake
in Wheaton | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Hickory Grove
in Lisle | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Hidden Lake
in Downers Grove | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Mallard Lake
in Hanover Park | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Maple Grove
in Downers Grove | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Mayslake
in Oak Brook | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
McDowell Grove
in Naperville | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Meacham Grove
in Bloomingdale | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Night Heron Marsh
in Aurora | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Oldfield Oaks
in Darien | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Pratt's Wayne Woods
in Wayne | limestone,
turf | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Salt Creek Greenway
in Elmhurst | limestone | L,P,
WT,W | |
Salt Creek Marsh
in Itasca | limestone | L,P,WT,W | |
Salt Creek Park
in Wood Dale | turf | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Songbird Slough
in Itasca | paved road | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Spring Creek Reservoir
in Bloomingdale | asphalt | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Springbrook Prairie
in Naperville | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Swift Prairie
in Addison | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
Timber Ridge
in West Chicago | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Warrenville Grove
in Warrenville | limestone | L,P,
WT,W | |
Waterfall Glen
in Darien | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Wayne Grove
in Bartlett | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
West Branch
in Bartlett | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
West Chicago Prairie
in West Chicago | turf, wood chip | L,P,
WT,W |
|
West DuPage Woods
in West Chicago | limestone,
turf | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Willowbrook
in Glen Ellyn | limestone | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Winfield Mounds
in Winfield | wood chip | L,P,
WT,W | |
Wood Dale Grove
in Wood Dale | limestone,
wood chip | L,P,
WT,W |
|
Wood Ridge
in Lemont | no developed trails | L,P,
WT,W | |
York/High Ridge
in Lombard | no developed trails | L,P,W | |
York Woods
in Oak Brook | asphalt | L,P,W |
|
L Lake/Pond/Waterway P Prairies
WT Wetlands W Woodlands |
Wildlife Watching Guidelines
- The use of Forest Preserve District trails does not require a permit or have an associated fee.
- The best time to view wildlife in action is early morning and early evening.
- Move slowly, and wear clothing compatible with the surroundings.
- Observe animals carefully, and learn to recognize when you are starting to influence their behavior so you can pull back.
- Never disturb nesting sites; observe them from a distance.
- Sightings of unusual birds are a thrill; but to protect rare species from the potentially harmful stresses of excessive human disturbances, knowledgeable birders often refrain from sharing specific locations. They instead give general guidelines that help others find the birds themselves.
- Sitting patiently and letting wildlife approach is a successful practice of ethical wildlife watchers and photographers alike.
- Optical devices, such as binoculars, spotting scopes and telephoto lenses, allow disturbance-free viewing and photography from a distance.
- The best photographs are of undisturbed animals taken from blinds or at the end of a careful stalk by a camouflaged photographer.
- Step carefully if you leave marked trails to pursue animal paths.
- Look for animal tracks. Learning to read them is an enjoyable skill in itself.
- If you come across an injured wild animal and are concerned, leave it alone, and call the Willowbrook Wildlife Center 24-hour automated phone line at (630) 942-6200. This wildlife rehabilitation and education center is owned and operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and is open every day, except major holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- “DuPage County Forest Preserve Trails” contains maps for 21 forest preserves and one state park. E-mail forest@dupageforest.com or call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 for a free printed copy, or download Forest Preserve Trails.