The 208-acre Cricket Creek Forest Preserve in Addison offers fishing, picnic sites and the Forest Preserve District’s only model-boating lake. It features nearly two miles of crushed limestone trails and serves as an important link in the 30-mile Salt Creek Greenway Trail.
Cricket Creek contains the county’s first wetland mitigation bank, a restoration site funded by developers to replace previously destroyed wetlands. The habitat attracts a wide variety of native wildlife, including a variety of bird species such as great blue herons and ducks, and various amphibians.
The main entrance is on the north side of Fullerton Avenue, one block east of Villa Avenue and south of Lake Street (Route 20). To reach the parking lot for the model-boating lake, take Fullerton Avenue to the Route 83 frontage road and go south 0.25 mile. The entrance is on the right.
Over 3 miles of trails — including 2.4 miles of the 30-mile Salt Creek Greenway Trail — wind through the preserve and around the lakes and are ideal for hiking, biking, jogging and cross-country skiing.
Cricket Creek has several picnic tables and grassy areas where you can spread a blanket. Ground fires are not allowed, but you can bring grills. (The preserve has hot-coal containers for charcoal.)
Groups can also reserve a 50-person picnic shelter. Details are on our Picnicking page.
You can fish for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish and bluegill at the 9-acre Green Lake, 3-acre Stonewort Pond or 5-acre Riverbend Pond. If people with model boats are using Riverbend Pond, though, please fish at one of the other two lakes.
Anglers 16 or older who are not legally disabled must carry valid Illinois fishing licenses. Lake maps and regulations, including creel limits and minimum lengths, are on our Fishing page.
You can access Salt Creek via the canoe launch at Cricket Creek.
If you enjoy model boating, you can use your craft on Riverbend Pond but must have a valid Forest Preserve District permit in your possession.
The land was prairie until the late 1930s, when it started to transform into agricultural fields dotted with homes. The Forest Preserve District acquired the first 40 acres in 1974 and made subsequent purchases through 2016, eventually transforming a flood-prone housing development into a beautiful forest preserve.
Natural Scene
Driving Directions
Trails
Picnicking
Fishing
Boating
Model-Boat Area
History
The preserve is open daily from one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset. Dogs must be on leashes under 10 feet long, and alcohol is prohibited. Read our Rules & Regulations.
Trail Map (PDF)
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
Visitor Services
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 630-933-7200
Email: forest@dupageforest.org
Police: 630-933-7240
Email: police@dupageforest.org
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