Blackwell Forest Preserve
Location
The main entrance is on the north side of Butterfield Road, 1/4 mile west of Winfield Road and one mile east of Route 59. The nursery is on the north side of Mack Road and Williams Road (approximately one mile east of Route 59). The canoe launch is on the south side of Mack Road (1/4 mile east of Route 59 and two miles west of Winfield Road. Launching from this area is into the West Branch of the DuPage River.
Preserve Maps
- Blackwell Forest Preserve map (416.9 KB PDF)
- Blackwell Family Campground map (373.2 KB PDF)
- Blackwell Youth Campground map (109.5 KB PDF)
Outdoor Recreation
Trails
More than 7 miles of turf and limestone trails make Blackwell a hiker's paradise. Multipurpose trails, including a 3.6-mile section of the Regional Trail, can be used by horseback riders, cyclists, hikers and cross-country skiers. A trail connection provides a convenient route from the Illinois Prairie Path to Blackwell's trail system.
Blackwell's McKee Marsh area is the site of a 10-foot-wide interpretive trail that features two observation decks, a bird blind, and signs that describe the rich history and ecological significance of the marsh.
Horseback riders are reminded that riding in developed recreational and picnic areas and campgrounds is prohibited. Trailers may be parked in the McKee Marsh parking lot north of Mack Road.
Dog sledding is allowed only on designated trails north of Mack Road.
Picnicking
There are ample picnic sites located around the shore of Silver Lake. The Hawthorne Grove picnic area as well as the preserve's four picnic shelters can be reserved for special events. Ground fires are not allowed, but visitors are welcome to bring their own grills and use the hot-coal disposal containers on site. Permits for reservable areas must be obtained at least three business days in advance; call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.
Fishing
The 62-acre Silver Lake is a hot fishing spot that features bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout and walleye. It's also the site of the Just for Kids Fishing Derby held each June. Two floating piers make fishing at Silver Lake easy, but fishing is prohibited from the boat docks or boat-launch area.
Bluegill, channel catfish, bass, crappie and sunfish can also be caught in White Pine Pond, located west of the main entrance.
Ice fishing is permitted at Blackwell. However, ice conditions are not monitored by rangers, so all ice-related activities are done at the user's own risk. As a guideline, not a guarantee, at least four inches of ice are recommended for any ice activity.
All persons 16 and older (except legally disabled persons) are required to have in their possession a valid Illinois sport fishing license. All anglers must follow District and state regulations.
Boating
At Silver Lake, visitors can bring their own nongasoline-powered watercraft up to 20 feet in length including boats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and multi-chambered inflatables with factory-installed hardened floors and transoms. A private-boating District permit is required for each watercraft. Daily and annual permits may be purchased at the Blackwell boat-rental area and at District headquarters. A steel lockbox is available at Blackwell to collect daily permit fees.
Please note that all watercraft must be registered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 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 when in private canoes and kayaks. For details, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.
Paddlers looking for free access to the West Branch of the DuPage River can use the launch site just south of Mack Road.
Boat Rentals
Canoes, kayaks, rowboats and motorboats with electric trolling motors can be rented by the hour or the day. The rental area on the west side of Silver Lake operates on weekends from April through the end of September and daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Visitors can provide their own electric trolling motors for use on District boats; however, the District does not provide motors for use on private boats. Oars, paddles and PFDs are provided for rentals only and cannot be rented separately for use in private watercraft. In addition to federal and state regulations, the District requires that all individuals, regardless of age, must wear PFDs when underway in rented canoes and kayaks. Vending machines are available at this area as well.
Boat Rental Hours
April - Memorial Day: Weekends Only 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
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 September: Weekends Only 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiers will enjoy the gently rolling to hilly terrain in the developed sections of Blackwell as well as the quieter winding trails. Skiers are asked to stay to the outside of the trail, leaving the inside area for hikers and other trail users. When conditions permit, trails are groomed for classical and skate-style cross-country skiing.
Special-Use Areas
Archery Range
Blackwell offers an archery range for individuals interested in this classical sport. The range is just to the west of the Butterfield Road entrance. A permit is not required to use this area, but the range is for archery use only. Archers may use arrows with target heads but not broad heads. For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, those using the area must comply with all rules posted at the range. For additional information, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.
Camping
Sixty family sites are available at the campground north of Silver Lake. Each includes a gravel parking pad, fire ring and picnic table. There are campsites suitable for tents (some with crushed-rock tent pads), trailers and motor homes, and sites are located near latrines, running water and trash containers. Restrooms with showers and campsites with electrical hookups are also available; however, there are no sewage or water hookups. The campground is open Friday and Saturday nights from May through September but is also open the week of the Fourth of July with additional days on other holiday weekends. For permit and other information, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.
Youth-Group Camping
Twelve semi-wooded campsites are located close to an open play field, trails and lakes; water and latrines are also nearby. Each site holds up to 25 campers and has its own fire ring.
Open year-round, these camping areas are set aside for use by youth groups. Youth groups are defined as recognized, nonprofit organizations. Only members of these groups, with their accompanying leaders, may camp in these areas. Camping permits and adult supervision of one leader over 21 years of age for every 10 children are mandatory for campsite use. For permit and other information, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.
Compass Course
This course challenges users to find their way through the outdoors with the aid of a compass. Supplies for the Blackwell compass course on Mt. Hoy are available by reservation by calling Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center at (630) 850-8110.
Off-Leash Dog Area
Dogs with Forest Preserve District off-leash dog area permits can enjoy Blackwell's fully fenced off-leash area, which is south of Mack Road along the West Branch of the DuPage River. Call Visitor Services Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at (630) 933-7248 for permit applications and information. Rules for the area are posted at the preserve. Dogs must be leashed in all other areas of the preserve.
Tubing on Mt. Hoy
Tubing fans can take a thrilling ride down Mt. Hoy when three or more inches of snow cover the hill. District inner tubes are the only devices that may be used on Mt. Hoy and can be rented on weekends and school holidays December through February at the base of the hill. Call the Outdoor Report at (630) 871-6422 for hours of operation and snow conditions.
Preserve History
In the 1830s, Erastus Gary, one of Winfield Township's first settlers and a founder of Gary, Indiana, made his home on the land that is now Blackwell Forest Preserve. There, he operated a grist mill known as Gary's Mill just east of the West Branch of the DuPage River.
130 years later, the District purchased the preserve and named it for Roy C. Blackwell, a former commission president. At the time, District planners believed an old quarry pit could be turned into a multiuse project that could retain storm water and offer recreational opportunities. The pit eventually became Silver Lake.
While excavating the quarry, low-permeable clay was discovered that could be used to prevent water leakage and protect groundwater. With this discovery, the District decided to create a winter-sports hill that could also serve as a landfill. Mt. Hoy, which is no longer operated as a landfill, was created and has provided valuable knowledge in managing solid waste.
In 1977 at McKee Marsh, District employees uncovered the skeleton of a woolly mammoth that lived about 14,000 years ago during the last ice age. This was the District's most significant archeological discovery and is one of the oldest paleontological finds in northeastern Illinois.
Accessibility
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. At Blackwell, a trail and two piers ensure easy access to Silver Lake. A modern restroom is available on the northeast side of the lake, and improvements to campground showers have made them barrier free as well. The south picnic shelter, with its nearby asphalt trail and latrines, is also easily accessed.
For special accessibility needs or concerns, please contact the District's ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days in advance of your visit.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857