Looking for a good way to spend a snow day? There are great opportunities during the winter months to enjoy the fresh air by visiting a Kane County forest preserve.

With numerous activities for you to do from ice fishing to snowmobiling — the Kane County Forest Preserve District has something for you!

Download a FREE brochure here.

Sledding

Sledding is allowed at the following preserves:  Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva, Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn, and Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora.  Preserve hours are sunrise to sunset.

Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are allowed in all Kane County forest preserves with the exception of areas closed for restoration or other work.  Preserve users are asked to stay on trails.  Please note: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County does not groom trails.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is allowed on trails marked specifically for this purpose at the following: Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles; on the Great Western Trail west of Wasco, only; and in Hampshire Forest Preserve. Snowmobiling is further permitted for transit only at the following: Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in Sycamore on the marked trail; Glenwood Park Forest Preserve on the Batavia Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path; Rutland Forest Preserve parking only; and Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve in Hampshire, on marked trails.

Snowmobiling hours are sunrise to sunset and the speed limit is 15 m.p.h. in all areas with the exception of the Great Western Trail west of Wasco.  On the Great Western Trail west of Wasco, snowmobiling is permitted from sunrise to 11 p.m. and the speed limit is 35 m.p.h.  Snowmobiling is not permitted in areas closed due to restoration work.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is permitted on Lake Patterson at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is permitted at Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve in Elburn, Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora and within Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin.

Snowboarding

The independently-operated Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park is located at Buffalo Park Forest Preserve in Algonquin and information is available at www.ragingbuffalo.com.

Make the most of wintry days but be safe while doing so. All winter activities are at your own risk. For more information about winter recreation in the Kane County forest preserves, call 630-232-5980 or visit www.kaneforest.com.

Winter Preserves

Burlington Prairie
Burnidge Forest Preserve & Paul Wolff
Campton
Fabyan
Glenwood Park
Grunwald Farms
Hampshire
Hampshire South
Johnson’s Mound
Muirhead Springs
Oakhurst
Rutland

SOURCE: Kane County Forest Preserve District press release