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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Boating
A relaxing way to enjoy the natural surroundings from a different point of view
Federal and state regulations require that watercraft contain one well-fitting personal flotation device for each member on board and that children under 13 wear PFDs when underway in recreational vessels. In addition, District regulations require that all individuals, regardless of age, must wear PFDs in private canoes and kayaks and in all District-rented watercraft..
Boat Rental
Visitors can rent watercraft at two popular DuPage County lakes. Both areas have vending machines and wheelchair-accessible docks. A driver’s license is required as a deposit for all rentals.
Silver Lake at Blackwell in Warrenville |
Rowboat, canoe, kayak | $10/hr $50/day |
Boat with electric trolling motor | $15/hr $75/day |
Herrick Lake at Herrick Lake in Wheaton |
Rowboat, canoe, kayak | $10/hr $50/day |
Operating Hours: |
Silver Lake
opens April 3 | Weekends 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
Herrick Lake
opens May 1 |
Memorial Day -
Labor Day | Weekdays 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Holidays/Weekends 8 a.m. -6:30 p.m. |
Labor Day -
End of Sept. | Weekends 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
Bring Your Own Boat
Visitors can use nongasoline-powered watercraft — boats, canoes, kayaks and multichambered inflatables with factory-installed hardened floors and transoms — up to 20 feet long on three lakes. Owners must register their watercraft with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and possess valid Forest Preserve District private-boating permits.
Boat Permits
Purchasing Private-Boating Permits |
Daily or Annual Permits
Blackwell Forest Preserve Boat-Rental Area (when open) | Cash Only |
Daily or Annual Permits
Visitor Services
District Headquarters
3S580 Naperville Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 933-7248
Weekdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. | In Person: Cash, Check or Credit Card By Mail: Check or Credit Card By Fax or Phone: Credit Card Only
|
Daily Permits Only
Steel locked boxes at Blackwell, Mallard Lake and Hidden Lake forest preserves (when open) | Cash Only |
Private Boating Application |
Annual permits are only valid Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 of the same calendar year. |
Senior citizens are entitled to one free annual permit per household. |
To learn more about registering watercraft with the IDNR, visit the IDNR Web site. |
Canoeists and kayakers can enter the West and East Branch of the DuPage River and Salt Creek at their own risk at any practical location in any forest preserve where the waterways pass, with the exception of Oak Meadows. At Oak Meadows, paddlers on Salt Creek may pass through the golf course but may only exit the water to portage around the dam. The Forest Preserve District offers easy access to waterways at these locations.
Forest Preserve | Waterway |
Blackwell in Warrenville | West Branch
of the DuPage River |
McDowell Grove in Naperville |
Churchill Woods in Glen Ellyn | East Branch
of the DuPage River |
Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook(near the Graue Mill parking lot downstream of the dam) | Salt Creek |