The Forest Preserve District will be replacing a culvert near Winfield Marsh along the West Branch DuPage River Trail at West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve. Construction will start on Sept. 12. As a result, this section of the trail (circled in yellow on this map) will be temporarily closed for about two weeks. Signs will also be posted on barricades at the preserve.
Visitors can choose to explore the high ground, where mowed paths through the upland woods showcase an impressive display of spring wildflowers. Or, they can choose the low-lying areas, where they’ll find that wetlands and the banks of the West Branch DuPage River host an interesting array of marsh vegetation and wildlife. The preserve is a popular birding spot, known for hosting migrating warblers.
The Elsen's Hill area is a designated important birding area by the Audubon Society for its diverse, quality habitat for rare breeding birds and stopover migrants. More than 200 bird species have been observed in the Elsen's Hill area, including 36 species of warblers and all of Illinois' regularly occurring vireos, thrushes and flycatchers.
Birding points of interest include the ponds and oak savannah along the Willow Trail and the stretch of river along the Hickory Trail. The site is also known for its breeding red-headed woodpeckers, yellow-billed cuckoos and chestnut-sided warblers.
West DuPage Woods is on Route 59 about 0.5 mile north of Roosevelt Road (Route 38). A second entrance is on the north side of Gary’s Mill Road between Roosevelt and Winfield roads.
West DuPage Woods has a 1-mile loop from the main parking lot and a 2-mile loop from the Elsen's Hill parking lot. Both offer a variety of terrain and are popular for hiking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding.
Picnicking
A short walk from either parking lot brings you to a picnic area with tables and drinking water.
This preserve offers fishing along the West Branch of DuPage River for sunfish, carp and bluegill. In the Elsen's Hill area, a 0.5-acre pond has bass and sunfish.
Anglers 16 or older who are not legally disabled must carry valid Illinois fishing licenses. Creel limits, minimum lengths and other regulations are on our Fishing page.
In presettlement times, the preserve was made up of scattering timber and timber surrounding to the West Branch of the DuPage River. After settlement, some of the land was cleared for cultivation, while some woodland areas stayed intact.
The first parcel was purchased in the early 1920s, making it one of the District’s oldest preserves. Adjacent parcels were purchased throughout the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s.
Natural Scene
Birding
Driving Directions
Trails
Picnicking
Fishing
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.
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-933-7200
forest@dupageforest.org
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Forest Preserve District is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Contact 630-933-7683 or TTY 800-526-0857.