The 1,172-acre Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve in Bartlett features grassy meadows, mature woodlands and fens and is bisected by the West Branch DuPage River. It has 5.6 miles of trails that connect to Mallard Lake and West Branch forest preserves as well as the Bartlett Park District trail system, and contains a stretch of the West Branch DuPage River. It also offers fishing and a 34-acre off-leash dog area.
Natural Scene
Hawk Hollow's gently rolling landscape of meadows, mature woodlands and fens provides rich habitat for a wide variety of native plants and wildlife. This large preserve contains one of the largest unbroken blocks of grassland habitats in the county. This grassland is home to several uncommon bird species, including Henslow’s sparrows, bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows and savanna sparrows.
Driving Directions
Hawk Hollow is at the intersection of Bartlett and Schick roads east of Route 59. The entrance to the off-leash dog area is off Bittersweet Drive just south of Stearns Road.
Trails
Hawk Hollow has 5.6 miles of trails that meander through the preserve, connecting to trails in Mallard Lake and West Branch forest preserves and the Bartlett Park District trail system.
Fishing
Fish for largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie at the 4-acre Muskrat Pond, which you can reach via a gravel path off Army Trail Road.
Anglers 16 or older who are not legally disabled must carry valid Illinois fishing licenses (inland trout stamps, too, if they're fishing for trout). Lake maps and regulations, including creel limits and minimum lengths, are on our Fishing page.
Off-Leash Dog Area
Enjoy off-leash fun with your four-legged friends at Hawk Hollow's 34-acre fully fenced off-leash dog area, which has separate areas for large and small dogs, but you need to carry proof of a valid Forest Preserve District permit for each dog you bring. The area is open during regular preserve hours; it is closed Tuesdays until 10 a.m. for routine maintenance. VisitDogs in the Preservesfor rules and permit info.
History
In presettlement times, Hawk Hollow was predominantly prairie with a patch of timber in the northwest portion of the preserve, now Gilbert’s Grove. The preserve was under cultivation after settlement, with scattered homesites.
The Forest Preserve District acquired much of the preserve in the 1970s, with smaller parcels added in the 1990s and 2000s.
In spring 2017 a bridge over County Farm Road opened connecting Hawk Hollow to Mallard Lake. The bridge and a mile of new trail completed a missing link in the North Central DuPage Regional Trail, which connects Cook County to the West Branch DuPage River Trail.
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 ourRules & Regulations.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County offers scores of nature-related programs and activities for grownups, kids, families and groups year-round. Click below to register for programs, reserve shelters and campsites or purchase permits, and we'll see you soon!
