Make DuPage forest preserves your destination for four-legged fun. Dogs are welcome at most preserves as long as they’re on leashes under 10 feet long. Leashes keep dogs on the trails and away from harmful plants and unseen hazards. They lessen the chance dogs will startle hikers, bikers or horseback riders or bite other pets or people (no matter how unlikely that may seem). They also ensure dogs can’t disturb nesting or resting wildlife. You can't tie dogs to trees, plants, buildings or equipment, and you must remain with them and keep them quiet at all times, especially in picnic and camping areas.
Enjoy off-leash fun at our off-leash areas at Blackwell, East Branch, Greene Valley, Hawk Hollow, Mayslake, Oldfield Oaks and Springbrook Prairie, but you need a permit for each dog you bring. You can have permits for any dogs you own but can only have three dogs at an area at one time.
Dog owners can purchase daily and annual permits online 24/7. For other options, download our off-leash dog area permit application (PDF) or call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248. You can also purchase a permit in-person at Visitor Services at our Danada headquarters in Wheaton Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Forest Preserve District determines ownership based on a dog's county-specific rabies certificate. Dogs must be registered in the county in which they reside with their owners. According to the DuPage County code of ordinances, DuPage County dog owners must "register their animal with the DuPage County Animal Care and Control within 30 days of establishing residency."
Annual permits are valid January – December only.
*Fees are prorated each year after Sept. 1.
DuPage resident dog owner
Owner's first dog
$50/year
Each additional dog (same owner)
$12/year
Prorated fee (Sept. 1 – Dec. 31)
$25/through end of year
Daily permit
$10/day
Senior citizens (65 and older), active military and veterans are entitled to one free off-leash dog area permit per household per year.
We’ve made renewing your off-leash dog permit even easier! If you’ve qualified for a free off-leash dog area permit in the past two years, our system will now credit you at the time of completing your online transaction.
If this is the first time you’re requesting a free permit, we ask you to provide your proof of age (driver's license or birth certificate) and/or military-service status (active status or a DD-214 Member 4 form) first. In subsequent years, you will be credited automatically.
If your military status or contact information changes, contact Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.
Off-leash dog areas are open one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset, except on scheduled maintenance days.
Blackwell Fenced 10 acres on the south side of Mack Road 0.25 mile east of Route 59 Opens 9 a.m. Mondays |
East Branch Training pond on 60 acres on the west side of Swift Road 1 mile north of North Avenue Opens 9 a.m. Mondays |
Greene Valley Fenced 14.5 acres for all dogs and 1.5 acres for small dogs on the east side of Greene Road south of Hobson Road and north of 75th Street Opens 10 a.m. Wednesdays |
Hawk Hollow Fenced 34 acres with two rotating 2.1-acre areas for large dogs and 0.7 acre for small dogs area off Bittersweet Drive just south of Stearns Road Opens 10 a.m. Tuesdays |
Mayslake Fenced 3.5 acres for all dogs and 0.5 acre for small dogs on the west side of St. Paschal Drive south of 31st Street and west of Route 83 Opens 10 a.m. Thursdays |
Oldfield Oaks Fenced 6 acres for all dogs and 0.6 acres for small dogs on Cheese Road east of Lemont Road south of 87th Street Opens 10 a.m. Tuesdays |
Springbrook Prairie Fenced 37 acres on the north side of 83rd Street west of Book Road Opens 10 a.m. Thursdays |
For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, you must follow these rules and regulations, which the Forest Preserve District may change at any time. You can bring up to three dogs to an area at one time, but the following applies to each.
As a permit holder you agree to abide by these rules and regulations as well as all Forest Preserve District ordinances and administrative orders and state statutes. You also understand that the Forest Preserve District may fine you or revoke your permit without refunding your permit fee if you supply false information on your application or fail to comply with any rules, regulations, ordinances, orders or statutes.
Off-Leash Dog Area Permit Application (PDF)
Archery
Boating
Dogs in the Preserves
DuPage Forest Preserves @Home
Family Camping
Fishing
Golfing
Model Crafts
Navigation & Wayfinding
Photography
Picnicking
Relax
Trails
Winter in the Preserves
Youth-Group Camping
Upcoming Programs
Read our Visitors Guide (PDF) to
find some of the best ways
to enjoy the forest preserves!
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
Visitor Services
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturdays through Aug. 27
(except July 2)
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone: 630-933-7200
Email: forest@dupageforest.org
Police: 630-933-7240
Email: police@dupageforest.org
Contact Our Board