Maple Grove Forest Preserve
Location
Located on the north side of Maple Avenue, two miles east of Belmont Road and one mile west of Dunham Road. The main entrance and parking lot are located on the north side of Maple Avenue.
Preserve Maps
- Maple Grove Trail map (338 KB PDF)
Preserve History
Maple Grove is a very special place. From Illiniwek hunters in the 1500s to modern-day hikers, people have enjoyed this forest for centuries. Native Americans lived around Maple Grove for hundreds of years. Archeologists tell us that the Illini settled here first but were driven out by Potawatomi tribes who wanted to expand into Maple Grove and other territories. The Potawatomi tapped the maple trees in Maple Grove and made sugar from the boiled sap. One tribal chieftain allegedly claimed the forest as his own private sugar grove. Legend has it that local Potawatomi taught a white settler, Pierce Downer, how to tap maples. Downer settled in the grove in 1832, and it became known as "Downer's Grove." At that time, the grove extended for hundreds of acres. As more people settled in the area, the forest shrank. Maple Grove is now the largest remnant of this historic grove. Forest Preserve District officials recognized the importance of this historic woodland, and they bought Maple Grove in 1920. It's one of the oldest forest preserves in DuPage County.
Natural History
Maple Grove is both an important historic forest and a valuable natural area. Less than one-half of one percent of Illinois' natural areas are intact today. The rest have been developed or farmed. Maple Grove is one of these rare natural areas. In fact, Maple Grove and other places like it are so unusual that ecologists rank them as "globally-endangered ecosystems" – the same ranking they give the Amazon rain forest!
Below are just a few of the features that make Maple Grove special:
- Wonderful wildlife habitat. Enjoy everything from gray squirrels to indigo buntings to great horned owls.
- Remnant black maple savanna and upland maple forest communities that have existed for hundreds of years.
- Over 300 plant species. Some are threatened and endangered. In some cases, Maple Grove is the last place in DuPage County where these plants can be found.
- A spectacular sight in spring. Carpets of spring wildflowers bloom throughout the forest, and the preserve provides critical habitat for migratory birds. Their songs create a wonderful natural symphony.
Maple Grove is a delicate natural area. It is the mission of the Forest Preserve District to preserve this rare habitat, but it can't do it alone. You can help preserve Maple Grove:
- The grove's soils erode easily when they are disturbed. Therefore, walking or biking off-trail causes serious problems. Habitats are trampled, trees die because their roots become exposed, and sediment from soil erosion washes into St. Joseph's Creek. Please help us to conserve this preserve by treading lightly.
- If you are biking, please stay on the designated trails that run through the preserve.
- If you see something interesting off-trail when you hike, take care that you don't create a new footpath as you walk to see it.
- Please don't litter. Enjoy the preserve and the wild creatures that call it home.
- If you see someone damaging the preserve, report them to the Forest Preserve District's Law Enforcement Department at (630) 933-7240.
If you are interested in helping the preserve, you are welcome to join the natural resource volunteers who are working to preserve Maple Grove's habitat. For more information about volunteering, contact the District's Volunteer office at (630) 933-7233.
Accessibility
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