Winter Fun

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.
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, 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, and Mallard Lake.
Also as time allows, rangers may update conditions on the Trail Conditions in the DuPage Forest Preserves Facebook page.
You can download PDFs of individual trail maps from many forest preserve pages . You can also use our interactive trail map on ArcGIS, which features parking lots, driving directions, amenities, and more.

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, ice fishing is not allowed on Herrick Lake at Herrick Lake or at Spring Creek Reservoir.

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 on our fishing page.

When there’s plenty of packed snow on Mount Hoy (usually more than 3 inches), head to Blackwell for an 800-foot ride that’s fast and fun!

Only District-provided tubes are allowed, and visitors can only use the tubes on Mount Hoy.
Tubes are $10 each for the entire day (cash and credit cards accepted) and are first-come, first-served. If you leave and come back later the same day, show your receipt and you can use a tube again, if one's available. (This doesn't allow you to skip the line, though.)
There are no minimum age or height restrictions. You ride at your own risk and comfort level. Adults can ride with children 5 and younger.
The hill may close early in extreme cold (RealFeel Temperature of 10 or below) or during active winter storms.

Blackwell
Weather-Permitting
Weekends Dec. 19 – Feb. 28
Plus Jan. 18 and Feb. 15
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Rentals end at 3:30 p.m.)

To find out when the hill is open, text TUBING to 866-743-7332 to sign up for alerts.

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.

Blackwell

Road starting at the family campground entrance (east shelter and Hawthorne Grove)
Beginner and interactive archery ranges
Family campground and camp shower building
Silver Lake boat launch and parking lot
Restrooms near east shelter

Churchill Woods