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Dogs in DuPage's Forest Preserves


Dogs in DuPage's Forest Preserves

Permit Applications   |    Love 'Em & Leash 'Em   |    Dog Sledding   |    Dog Areas   |    Rules

The outdoors is a great place to enjoy time with a canine companion. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County welcomes dogs in most preserves but encourages owners to call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 for any site-specific restrictions.

 Permit Applications

  • Information — Dogs in the Preserves Brochure (570 KB PDF)
  • Application — Annual Off-Leash Dog Area (133 KB PDF)
  • Application — Daily Off-Leash Dog Area (119 KB PDF)

  • Permit applications are available on this page or through Visitor Services at District headquarters at 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Senior citizens, active U.S. military personnel or honorably discharged U.S. veterans are entitled to one free permit. For details, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.

    DuPage County Resident Dog Owner
    First dog...................................................................$40 per year / $8 per day
    Each additional dog (same owner)......................$8 per year / $8 per day
    Nonresident Dog Owner
    First dog ............................................................$150 per year / $20 per day
    Each additional dog (same owner)................$25 per year / $20 per day

 Love 'Em & Leash 'Em

“Safety first” is a good adage to follow when visiting a forest preserve with a pet. To that end, District regulations require owners to keep their dogs leashed at all times when in the forest preserves; leashes cannot be more than 10 feet long.

Leashes help to keep dogs on the trail and away from harmful plants and unseen hazards, such as barbed-wire fences, sharp sticks, stinging insects and frightened wildlife. They lessen the chance that dogs will startle hikers, cyclists or equestrians or will bite other people or pets, no matter how unlikely that may seem. Leashes also ensure that dogs cannot disturb newly seeded areas or native-plant communities — or the nesting or resting wildlife that use those areas for food and shelter.

Owners should note that they may not tie dogs to District trees, plants, buildings or equipment and that they need to remain with their dogs, especially in picnic and camping areas, keeping their pets quiet at all times. Failure to properly dispose of dog waste or failure to keep a dog on a lead when not in an off-leash area could each result in a $75 fine.

 Off-Leash Dog Areas

Dogs with valid Forest Preserve District permits can enjoy seven specially designated off-leash areas, which are open during regular forest preserve hours, one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset.

 Off-Leash Dog Area Rules

At any off-leash dog area, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment, dog handlers must:
•     Have a valid off-leash dog area permit for each dog and have their permits in their possession when in the off-leash areas. Permits are not transferable.
•     Keep dogs current on distemper, parvovirus and rabies vaccinations. Dogs must wear valid rabies tags at all times.
•     Not use animals — alive or dead — for any purpose.
•     Not use ammunition of any kind.
•     Not use devices that use an explosive force to propel a retrievable object.
•     Keep their dogs leashed when they are not within the boundaries of an off-leash dog area, especially when they are in a parking lot walking to and from their vehicles.
•     Carry leashes with them and leash and remove their dogs from the off-leash area at the first sign of aggression. Handlers are responsible for any injuries or damages that their dogs inflict on other people or other dogs.
•     Keep dogs in view and under control at all times.
•     Not bring unhealthy dogs or dogs that are in heat
•     Bring no more than three dogs at one time.
•     Keep the off-leash dog area clean by properly disposing of dog waste; failure to do so could result in a $75 fine.
•     Keep a watchful eye on children at all times to avoid injuries from unleashed dogs.
•     Not enter the training pond at East Branch; it is for dogs only.

There are two exceptions to these rules at two preserves. At Pratt’s Wayne Woods and East Branch forest preserve off-leash areas, dog handlers may, for dog-training purposes only:
•     Use blank ammunition.
•     Use, with caution, devices that use an explosive force to propel a retrievable object.

Owners are responsible for their dogs’ behavior. All Forest Preserve District ordinances, state statutes and administrative orders apply to the use of the off-leash dog areas. If Law Enforcement assistance is needed, call (630) 933-7240. For all other assistance, call (630) 933-7200.

 Dog Sledding

When snow conditions allow, dog sledders can use the following trails at the following forest preserves:

Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville
Regional, Bobolink and connector trails: the trails head north from the McKee Marsh parking lot, which is on the north side of Mack Road 0.25 mile east of Route 59.

Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville
Thunderbird Spur Trail: the trail begins at the parking lot on Thunderbird Road south of 79th Street.

During the rest of the year, unless otherwise posted, mushers can use wheeled training carts up to 4 feet wide on any multipurpose trail at any DuPage County forest preserve.

In all cases, for the safety of other forest preserve visitors and the protection of the county’s natural resources, mushers must remain on the trails and travel in a controlled, safe manner.

Permit Applications   |    Love 'Em & Leash 'Em   |    Dog Sledding   |    Dog Areas   |    Rules

Street Address: 3 S 580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187-8761
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