Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is an excellent way to get some exercise, and you can ski on most forest preserve trails. If you're a classic skier, use the edge of the trail. Freestyle skiers and other visitors should stay in the center and avoid stepping on set tracks.
Our interactive map features parking lots, driving directions, amenities, and more for each trail. As time allows, our rangers also update trail conditions on the Trail Conditions in the DuPage Forest Preserves Facebook page.
You can also find PDFs of individual trail maps on many forest preserve pages.
After a snowfall, the top priority is to clear snow and ice from parking lots and other high-use areas to ensure safe access to all of the preserves. After that, though, as time allows, rangers may groom and set tracks along trails at Blackwell, St. James Farm, Herrick Lake, Danada, Waterfall Glen, Fullersburg Woods, Greene Valley, Springbrook Prairie, Meacham Grove, James “Pate” Philip State Park, and Mallard Lake.
Ice Fishing
You can ice fish on most forest preserve waters, but rangers do not monitor ice conditions; you go on the ice at your own risk. As a guideline not a guarantee, a minimum of 4 inches of ice is recommended for any activity. Because of varying water levels, fishing is not allowed on Herrick Lake at Herrick Lake in Wheaton or on Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale.
Anglers 16 or older who are not legally disabled must carry a valid Illinois fishing license (an inland trout stamp, too, if you're fishing for trout). Forest Preserve District depth maps, creel limits, and regulations are available on our fishing page.
Snow Tubing at Mount Hoy
Race down Mount Hoy on a snow tube this winter! When there’s plenty of packed snow on the hill (usually more than 3 inches), you can head to Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville for an 800-foot ride that’s fast, and fun. Only District-provided tubes are allowed on the tubing runs.
When You Can Tube
The hill is open weather permitting on the following days:
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Weekends: Dec. 6, 2025 – Feb. 22, 2026
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Winter Break: Dec. 22, 2025 – Jan. 2, 2026
(Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) -
CUSD 200 Institute Day: Jan. 5, 2026
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 19, 2026
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Presidents Day: Feb. 16, 2026
Hours
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., with last tube rentals at 3:30 p.m. The hill may close early in extreme cold (real-feel 10°F or below) or during active winter storms.
Tube Rentals
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$10 per tube for the entire day
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Tubes are first-come, first-served
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Cash and credit cards accepted
Snowshoe Rentals
Make it a full winter outing with a snowshoe hike before or after you hit the hill.
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$10 per day
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Last snowshoe rentals at 2 p.m.
Before You Go
Get a text alert on days the hill is open by texting TUBING to 866-743-7332, or check the @dupageforest Facebook page for updates.
When is the tubing hill open?
If conditions allow, the hill is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on weekends from Dec. 6, 2025, through Feb. 22, 2026. It’s also open during winter break (Dec. 22 – Jan. 2, except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1), on CUSD 200 Institute Day (Jan. 5), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19), and Presidents Day (Feb. 16). Last tube rentals are at 3:30 p.m. The hill may close early for extreme cold or severe weather.
How will I know if the hill is open on a given day?
Text TUBING to 866-743-7332 to get an alert when the hill is open. You can also check the @dupageforest Facebook page for updates. As a general guideline, the hill closes when the real-feel temperature is 10°F or below or during active winter storms.
Is there a number I can call on weekends?
No. There’s no phone service at the hill. For weekday questions, call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
How much does tubing cost, and how long can I keep the tube?
Tube rentals are $10 per tube for the entire day. If you leave and come back later the same day, show your receipt and you can rent a tube again based on availability. This does not allow you to skip the line.
Can I reserve tubes ahead of time?
No. Tubes are first-come, first-served.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. We accept both cash and credit cards.
Do I need to be a DuPage County resident to rent a tube?
No. Anyone can rent a tube.
Are there age or height requirements?
No. There are no minimum age or height restrictions. You ride at your own risk and comfort level.
Can I ride with my child?
Yes. Adults may ride with children age 5 and younger.
Can I bring my own tube, sled, or snowboard?
No. Only District-issued rental tubes are allowed on the tubing runs.
Can I tube on other parts of the hill if the lines are long?
No. Rental tubes must stay on the designated tubing runs.
How can I tell if the hill is crowded?
If you want the shortest wait times, your best bet is to arrive right when the hill opens or a little earlier.
Where can I sled or tube for free at Blackwell?
You’re welcome to sled or tube anywhere in the preserve where it’s not posted otherwise and do so at your own risk. Be aware that many hills lead directly to Silver Lake, and the ice may not be safe.
Does the Forest Preserve make snow?
No. All snow is natural.
Where is Blackwell Forest Preserve?
Blackwell is in Warrenville. The main entrance is on the north side of Butterfield Road, 0.25 mile west of Winfield Road.
Snowshoeing
Explore Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook by snowshoe! Rent a pair at the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center from Dec. 6, 2024, to Feb. 22, 2025 (except Dec. 25), Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (rentals end at 2 p.m.), when there's plenty of snow on the trails. Rentals are $10 for the day and may be unavailable during extreme cold. Call 630-850-8110 for availability.
Sledding & Ice Skating
You can sled and ice skate at most forest preserves, but rangers do not monitor conditions, so you do so at your own risk. As a guideline not a guarantee, a minimum of 4 inches of ice is recommended for any ice activity.
Sledding is always prohibited at Mount Hoy at Blackwell, the Greene Valley scenic overlook, the Mallard Lake landfill hill, any hill at Spring Creek Reservoir, and on or near Herrick Lake at Herrick Lake.
Dog Sledding
If there’s plenty of snow and you're a musher, you can use the Regional, Bobolink and connector trails through the McKee Marsh area north of Mack Road at Blackwell and the Thunderbird Spur Trail, which begins at the parking lot on Thunderbird Road, at Greene Valley. During the rest of the year, you can use wheeled carts under 4 feet wide on any trails that allow biking.
Remain on the trails and travel in a controlled, safe manner for the safety of other visitors and to protect the forest preserves’ natural areas.
Areas With Limited Winter Access
For safety reasons as well as to ensure crews can handle snow removal and trail grooming at our most popular areas, the Forest Preserve District closes some areas for the winter season. The following are closed December through February and reopen on March 1, weather permitting.
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Road starting at the family campground entrance (east shelter and Hawthorne Grove)
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Beginner and interactive archery ranges
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Family campground and camp shower building
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Silver Lake boat launch and parking lot
- Restrooms near east shelter
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Crescent Avenue parking lot
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Shelter restrooms
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Crescent lot portable restrooms
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Parking lot
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Model boat parking lot
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Portable restroom
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Model helicopter lot
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North side of north parking lot
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Restrooms at Greene Valley north parking lot
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East half of parking lot will be blocked with snow piles after first plowing
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Back parking lots and roads (youth-group campground accessible via Powis Road)
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Northern area of parking lot
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Restrooms
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Gravel parking lot on the east side of Naperville-Plainfield Road
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Off-leash dog area portable restroom
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East half of the main parking lot
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Parking lot off Hoy Avenue
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North half of main lot will after first snowfall
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Fair Oaks parking lot
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Parking lot
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Portable restroom
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West half of parking lot area after first plowing
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North parking lot area
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North parking lot
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Portable restroom