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
Take a thrilling 800-foot ride down the Mount Hoy tubing hill at Blackwell.
Inner tube rentals are at the base of the hill and are $10 per tube per day. Pay with cash or credit card. Only District inner tubes are allowed.
It's open on weekends Dec. 2, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024 (except Dec. 25) when there's plenty of snow (usually more than 3 inches). It's also open on school holidays. Hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and rentals end at 3:30 p.m. It may close early or not open at all, though, during snowstorms or when the "real-feel temperature" is 10 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Before heading out to the hill, check out our Facebook page to find out if it's open. You can also sign up to get text alerts when the hill will be open by texting TUBING to 866-743-7332.
How can I know if it will be open this weekend?
Text TUBING to 866-743-7332 to receive a text message when the hill will be open.
Is there a phone number to speak with someone over the weekend?
No, there is no phone service at the hill. Questions can be directed to our Visitor Services office Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 630-933-7248.
Do I need to be a DuPage County resident to rent a tube?
No, there is no residency requirement to rent a tube.
Do you take credit cards?
Yes, we accept cash and credit cards.
Can I reserve a tube in advance?
No, all tube rental is on a first-come, first-served basis.
How much time do I get with the tube?
Rental fees cover the entire day's operation. If you leave and want to come back, save your receipt and you can get a tube again later in the same day based on availability. This does NOT mean you can jump the line in front of other patrons. It’s still first-come, first-served.
How can I know if the hill is crowded?
If you want to ensure that you don’t have to wait, we suggest you get to the hill when it opens or earlier.
Is there a minimum age or height requirement?
No, there are no minimum age or height requirements. You ride at your own risk and comfort level. Adults may ride on tubes with children under the age of 6.
Can I ride in a tube with my child?
Yes, if your child is 5 years old or younger.
Can older riders double up?
Tubes are for a single rider with the exception of small children. No doubles in the tubes, and chaining tubes together is not allowed.
Can I tube down other sides of the hill (take tube off-site) if the lines are too long?
No, rental tubes can only be used on the runs provided.
Can I use my own tube/sled/snowboard?
No, only Forest Preserve District-issued rental tubes are allowed.
Where can I tube or sled for free at Blackwell?
You can go anywhere that it is not posted otherwise at your own risk. There are many hills at Blackwell that lead to Silver Lake (which may not be frozen or have safe ice).
Do you make your own snow?
No.
Snowshoeing
Explore the preserves by snowshoes! If you don't have a pair, you can rent them Dec. 2, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024 (except Dec. 25) at two forest preserves when there's plenty of snow on the trails. Rentals are $10 for the day. Rentals may be closed due to extreme cold temperatures.
At Blackwell
When Mount Hoy's open for snow tubing, rent snowshoes at the base of the hill 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Before heading out to the tubing hill, check our Facebook page to find out if it's open. You can also sign up to get text alerts when the tubing hill will be open by texting TUBING to 866-743-7332.
At Fullersburg Woods
Snowshoes can be rented at the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (rentals end at 2 p.m.). 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.
-
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 at Hawthorne Grove
-
Restrooms near east shelter
-
Crescent Avenue parking lot
-
Shelter restrooms
-
Crescent lot portable restrooms
-
Parking lot
-
Model boat parking lot
-
Riverbend Trail restrooms
-
Portable restroom
-
Model helicopter lot
-
North side of north parking lot
-
Restrooms at Greene Valley north parking lot
-
East half of parking lot will be blocked with snow piles after first plowing
-
Back lot (southern area of main parking lot) after the first plowing
-
Back parking lots and roads (youth-group campground accessible via Powis Road)
-
Special-use lot east of Powis Road (accessible only to special-use permits or contracts as needed)
-
Model-craft airfield after first snow
-
Northern area of parking lot
-
Restrooms
-
Gravel parking lot on the east side of Naperville-Plainfield Road
-
Off-leash dog area portable restroom
-
East half of the main parking lot
-
Parking lot off Hoy Avenue
-
North half of main lot will after first snowfall
-
Fair Oaks parking lot
-
Parking lot
-
Portable restroom
-
West half of parking lot area after first plowing
-
North parking lot area
-
North restrooms
-
North parking lot
-
Portable restroom