DuPage forest preserves offer hundreds of picnic tables and inviting places to spread a blanket. Ground fires are not allowed, but you can bring a grill. Most preserves have hot-coal disposal bins. Alcohol is always prohibited.
Permits & Fees
Outdoor enthusiasts who want to picnic with more than 25 people or ensure a shelter or picnic area reservation must apply for a picnic permit at least three full business days in advance. You can reserve a picnic area online 24/7 up to a year in advance. Fees are nonrefundable regardless of why you cancel (even for weather), but you can change your reservation one time up to one week in advance through Visitor Services at 630-933-7248 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for an additional $5.
For other options, download our picnic area permit application (PDF) or call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248. Phone reservations must be made at least three full business days in advance.
View the picnic shelters and areas photo gallery, or view the photos in the links below.
Forest Preserve |
Amenity |
Shelter Capacity |
Area Capacity |
DuPage Resident |
Nonresident |
||
Blackwell | |||||||
North Shelter | GE | 50 | 100 | $60 | $75 | ||
South Shelter | G | 50 | 100 | $55 | $70 | ||
East Shelter | G | 50 | 100 | $55 | $70 | ||
West Shelter | — | 50 | 100 | $45 | $60 | ||
Sand Pond Shelter | GE | 50 | 100 | $60 | $75 | ||
Picnic Area | — | — | 300 | $70 | $90 | ||
Burlington Park | |||||||
Shelter | G | 25 | 25 | $55 | $70 | ||
Churchill Woods | |||||||
Shelter | G | 100 | 100 | $100 | $120 | ||
Central Picnic Area | — | — | 50 | $35 | $45 | ||
West Picnic Area | — | — | 50 | $35 | $45 | ||
Cricket Creek | |||||||
Shelter | — | 25 | 25 | $45 | $60 | ||
Fullersburg Woods | |||||||
Shelter | — | 50 | 50 | $45 | $60 | ||
Greene Valley | |||||||
East Shelter | — | 50 | 100 | $45 | $60 | ||
West Shelter | — | 50 | 100 | $45 | $60 | ||
Herrick Lake | |||||||
East Shelter | GE | 100 | 100 | $105 | $130 | ||
West Shelter | G | 50 | 100 | $55 | $70 | ||
South Shelter | F | 50 | 50 | $45 | $60 | ||
West Picnic Area | — | — | 150 | $35 | $45 | ||
Hidden Lake | |||||||
Shelter | GE | 50 | 100 | $60 | $75 | ||
Mallard Lake | |||||||
Shelter | — | 50 | 100 | $45 | $60 | ||
McDowell Grove | |||||||
North Shelter | F | 25 | 25 | $45 | $60 | ||
Central Picnic Area | — | — | 150 | $35 | $45 | ||
Pratt's Wayne Woods | |||||||
Shelter | G | 100 | 100 | $100 | $120 | ||
Songbird Slough | |||||||
Shelter | — | 50 | 100 | $45 | $60 | ||
Spring Creek Reservoir | |||||||
Shelter | — | 50 | 50 | $45 | $60 | ||
Springbrook Prairie | |||||||
Shelter | E | 50 | 50 | $45 | $60 | ||
St. James Farm | |||||||
Pavilion | GE | 150 | 300 | $250 | $350 | ||
Black Walnut Picnic Grove | — | 100 | $70 | $90 | |||
Wood Dale Grove | |||||||
North Shelter | — | 50 | 100 | $45 | $60 | ||
South Shelter | G | 100 | 100 | $100 | $120 | ||
York Woods: Closed due to restoration |
|||||||
Shelter | G | 100 | 100 | $100 | $120 |
G Built-in charcoal grill (Charcoal and lighter fluid are not included.)
E Electricity
F Fireplace (Firewood is provided. Outside firewood is not allowed.)
Several event types and unique requests — such as ceremonies, church services, 5K fundraisers, walkathons, classes, trainings, tournaments, photo or movie shoots, etc. — — require more than picnic permits. They require special-use permits, which you must request at least four full calendar weeks in advance through Visitor Services at 630-933-7247. For more information, see the Special-Use Permits page.
If you have a picnic permit, you can rent a Forest Preserve District canopy or grill (if available) at select sites to use the same day.
You can set up a private canopy at certain locations, too, but need to pay an extra fee if your canopy is over 200 square feet.
To rent a canopy or grill or request to set up your own canopy, call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248 at least three full business days before your event.
20' x 30', 75-person capacity and includes setup and takedown
Select preserves
DuPage resident
Nonresident
$325 per day
$375 per day
To set up an approved private canopy over 200 square feet, the Forest Preserve District must first approve the request. You are responsible for contacting JULIE to ensure the private canopy is set up in the correct location.
Select preserves
DuPage resident
Nonresident
$10 per day
$12 per day
2’ x 5' and does not include charcoal or lighter fluid
Select preserves
DuPage resident
Nonresident
$75 per day
$90 per day
Picnicking Rules & Regulations
For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, you must follow these rules and regulations, which the Forest Preserve District may change at any time.
Permits & Fees
Special-Use Permits
Canopies & Grills
Picnicking Rules & Regulations
Archery
Boating
Dogs in the Preserves
DuPage Forest Preserves @Home
Family Camping
Fishing
Golfing
Model Crafts
Navigation & Wayfinding
Photography
Picnicking
Trails
Winter in the Preserves
Youth-Group Camping
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