Fullersburg Woods

Revised forest preserve hours: Open one hour after sunrise until sunset

Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve is Oak Brook offers a 220-acre prime wildlife haven in an urban setting, hosting a wide variety of wildlife, nesting songbirds and spring and fall migratory birds, especially warblers. It is home to the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, which offers hands-on, interactive exhibits and native wildlife on display, and the historic Graue Mill and Museum, which features the only operating waterwheel gristmill in Illinois in its original spot. The nearby Ben Fuller House is made of small timber and one of the oldest balloon-frame structures in Illinois.

Fullersburg has trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, picnic shelters and areas, and fishing and boating on Salt Creek. 

Natural Scene

The oak woodlands and stretch of Salt Creek at Fullersburg Woods are home to beavers, red foxes, herons, egrets, nesting songbirds, and spring and fall migratory birds, especially warblers. The Night Heron Trail is a popular destination for fall color fans, too.

Driving Directions

The main entrance is at 3609 Spring Road, 1 mile south of 31st Street and 0.25 mile north of Ogden Avenue.

Trails

Miles of multipurpose trails are open to hikers, bicyclers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers and dog walkers. Take a self-guided tour of the 1.3-mile interpretive trail through lowland woods and restored prairies by foot, bicycle or cross-country skis to learn about DuPage County's natural history. A section of the trail connects the nature education center to the Graue Mill and Museum, Graue House and Ben Fuller House. 

The Wildflower Trail, which starts near the visitor center and travels through the woods and restored prairie, showcases many native species of wildflowers. In the winter, snowshoes are available for rent from the nature education center.

Picnicking

Fullersburg Woods has several picnic tables and small shelters, and you can use the main shelter and picnic area if they're not being used by school groups. Ground fires and grills are not allowed.

Fishing

Fish for largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, northern pike and walleye along Salt Creek.

Anglers 16 or older who are not legally disabled must carry valid Illinois fishing licenses. Regulations, including creel limits and minimum lengths, are on our Fishing page.

Boating

Access Salt Creek via the canoe launch downstream of the Graue Mill dam. 

History

The area around Fullersburg Woods was originally known as Brush Hill but was renamed Fullersburg after Jacob Fuller, and his son, Benjamin, who platted the town in 1851. Fullersburg Woods opened to the public in 1920 and has a rich history. In the 1930s, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp was built here, and the visitor center and several of the shelters stand as remnants of that period. In subsequent years, the preserve was so heavily used that in 1969 picnicking was restricted and boating was prohibited because discharges and water runoff from surrounding communities polluted Salt Creek.

It was at this time that Fullersburg’s revival began. Dedicated to multiple-use land management, the District implemented plans to restore and preserve the natural surroundings, improve flood control and provide environmental education. As a result, the creek’s water quality has improved, trees and other plant communities are thriving, and a restored prairie adds to the preserve’s diversity.