McHenry County Conservation District's 24,000 acres of open space provides wildlife habitat preservation, educational opportunities and recreational amenities for the citizens of McHenry County to appreciate and enjoy.
29 sites are currently open to the public featuring four educational facilities, hiking, biking and horseback trails, picnic shelters, camp sites, fishing sites, cross-country skiing and a multitude of rare plants and animals. The District also boasts 17 dedicated State Nature Preserves within its sites.
To view maps for the sites, click on the site name:
Beck's Woods, 5940 N. Pagles Rd., Chemung (283 acres)
The healthy, free flowing Piscasaw River provides abundant fish for the sportsman.
Boger Bog, 2100 Cherry Valley Rd., Bull Valley (37 acres)
The intimate site features a one mile nature trail with boardwalk, a picnic shelter, and a council ring. Not truly a bog but a graminoid fen, the site is comprised of numerous natural communities including silt-loam prairie, calcareous seep and spring, an oak woodland and a sedge meadow.
Brookdale, 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock (1,645 acres)
Building open Mon-Fri, 8am - 4:30pm. Brookdale houses the District's Administrative Offices. A looped hiking trail, wildlife observation deck, fishing pier and interpretive signage can be found an 11-acre pond.
Coral Woods, 7400 Somerset, Marengo, IL (775 acres)
This sugar maple forest provides the sweet sap necessary for annual maple sugar programs, and is also known for its magnificent display of spring wildflowers.
County Line Road Access, 4700 County Line Road, Marengo (2,720 acres)
The parking lot and short 0.3 mile trail provides anglers and hikers access to the Kishwaukee River.
Dufield Pond, Country Club Road, Woodstock (78 acres)
This wetland complex attracts a wide variety if wildlife, and is a great spot for fishing. The 3-acre pond features a variety if fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and carp.
Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve Varga Archaeological Site, Hawk's Point Road/11000 Lakeview Road, Richmond (299 acres)
Significant natural and archeological features including a graminoid bog highlight this site where 238 acres are dedicated as a nature preserve. Hike the interpretive trail
and enjoy wildlife from the observation deck.
Exner Marsh, Lakewood & Miller Roads, Lake in the Hills (233 acres)
Over 100 acres of marshland provides a rich habitat for plants and animals. Four, half-mile looped trails wind along marsh borders.
Fel-Pro RRR, 1520 Crystal Lake Ave., Cary (277 acres)
A gift from the Fel-Pro families, this site combines both recreation and preservation. Approximately 75 acres contain recreational facilities managed by YMCA of McHenry County, while remaining 145 acres are dedicated as a natural area managed by MCCD.
Fox Bluff, Cary-Algonquin and Cold Springs Roads, Cary (279 acres)
This parcel is noted for its trolling hills and spring-fed streams, and is home to a sedge meadow, oak woodlands, and a half-mile of Fox River fronta
ge.
Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood (3,298 acres)
This remnant of glacial activity contains gravel kames, kettles, restored prairies, oak savannas and wetlands, including the Kettle Bog and Lost Valley Marsh. The Lost Valley Visitor Center is open daily and features changing exhibits, hands-on nature activities, and a drop-in library as well as district information and brochures. Wiedrich Education Center also located in the park is open for special programs only. A Research Field Station also operates out of the Lost Valley Visitor Center.
Harrison Benwell, 7055 McCullom Lake, Wonder Lake (74 acres)
Hardwood forests and open wetland with a meandering stream make this a favorite site for hiking or cross-country skiers.
Hebron Trail (54 acres)
Constructed on the former K.D. railroad line, this seven mile trail runs from Church St. in Hebron eastward through North Branch Conservation Area and links with the Prairie Trail in richmond. The Hebron Trail and the Prairie Trail feed into the Grand Illinois Trail system. A camp-by-bike area is located in North Branch for the convenience of bikers on longer trips.
Hickory Grove Highlands/Lyons Prairie and Marsh, 500 Hickory Nut Grove Road, Cary (401 acres)
Home to an Illinois State Nature Preserve, Lyons Prairie & Marsh offers an unusual diversity of habitats/ The Highlands serves as a refuge for northern Illinois wildlife, while the Riverfront provides bank fishing and canoe access to the Fox River. Hike 4.75 miles of trails or enjoy the separate horse trail.
The Hollows, 3804 Route 14, Cary (478 acres)
more than 50 years of sand and gravel mining have given the Hollows its unusual landscape. A popular camping spot, the Hollows hosts group camping for up to 360 people with parking for 50 vehicles. Lake Atwood provides clear, deep water for non-motorized boat fishing and canoers. Hikers and cross-country skiers have the opportunity to enjoy over 5.5 miles of looped trails.
HUM Trail (Huntley-Union-Marengo) (250 acres)
This 3.5 mile hiking and biking trail runs from East St. in Marengo to Vine St. in Union and is Phase 1 of a regional trail that will conceptually run 17 miles from Boone County to Huntley (The trail head is located 1 block NE of Route 20 on Prospect St. behind Marengo Middle School.
Marengo Ridge, 3100 North Route 23, Marengo (818 acres)
up to 5 miles of hiking and ski trails pass through evergreen trees mixed with native hardwoods at this popular hiking, cross-country skiing and camping sites. The Thomas Woods Campground area provides for RV and tent camping. Group camp and picnic sites may also be reserved.
North Branch, 11500 N. Keystone Rd., Richmond (521 acres)
A 1 mile multi-purpose trail winds through prairie and savanna and over Nippersink Creek, linking the Prairie Trail to the Hebron Trail. The trail offers access for hiking, biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling. In addition, opportunities exist for picnicking, wildlife observation, and camping by bicycle.
Nippersink Canoe Trail, Keystone Road Landing to Nippersink Canoe Base
Keystone Landing/Nippersink Canoe Base/Pioneer Road Canoe Landing - These sites provide a put-in/take-out point for canoes coming down the Nippersink or continuing into the Fox River or the Chain of Lakes. Canoers can meander from two to six hours along the creek.
Lyle C. Thomas Memorial Park & Landing, Spring Grove (13 acres) - Owned by the Village of Spring Grove, this site is managed by the Conservation District and serves as an excellent put-in or take-out location for canoe trips on the Nippersink Creek.
Pleasant Valley, 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock (1,777 acres)
This expansive conservation site offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including over 5 miles of hiking and nature trails, a 1.3 miles horse trail, fishing in the 2-acre pond for largemouth bass and bluegill, and an outdoor amphitheater. A shelter with grill is perfect for picnicking under the majestic oak trees.
Prairie Trail, McHenry/Kane County Line to Wisconsin State Border (223 acres)
This 26-mile multi use trail follows a former railway line, that stretches from the Kane County Line in Algonquin to the Wisconsin state border connecting eight McHenry County communities. The Prairie Trail provides access to over 100 miles of trail network including the Fox River Trail, the Great Western Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path.
Prairieview Education Center/Silver Creek Conservation Area, 2112 Behan Rd., Crystal Lake (840 acres)
Open daily. (815-479-5779)
Prairieview Education Center offers a variety of programs and exhibits geared toward nature enthusiasts of all ages, including a drop-in family activity room, a reference library and classrooms, and examples of backyard native landscaping. Explore 6.5 miles of trails that wind through prairie and savanna restoration and over wetlands to the banks of the Fox River.
Ridgefield Trace, Oak St in Crystal Lake to McHenry County College. (38 acres) Phase I was completed in early fall 2009. The 2-mile trail runs from Oak St in Crystal Lake to McHenry County College along a Com-Ed right-of-way. Future stages, that are not yet funded, will extend the trail 7.5 miles from the Prairie Trail in Crystal Lake thru Veteran Acres to the intersection of Lake Ave. and Route 47 in Woodstock.
Rush Creek, 20501 McGuire, Harvard (684 acres)
Rush creek incorporates a mixture of flood plain, upland forest, pond and grassy meadows, and offers a myriad of recreational opportunities. Hike or cross-country ski the 3 miles of trails, ride along the separate 5 mile horse trail, or fish for largemouth bass, bluegill or green sunfish in the 4 acre pond. Picnic and camping facilities are also available and can accommodate large groups.
Silver Creek, 1200 Block Rawson Bridge Road, Cary (840 acres)
This conservation area takes its name from the stream that threads its way through the site. Hiking and cross-country ski trails take visitors over a boardwalk through woodlands and wetlands. A small, 1-acre pond offers anglers a chance to catch largemouth bass and green sunfish.
Stickney Run, 3216 West State Park Road, McHenry (629 acres)
Hikers and cross-country skiers can explore two scenic trails through the woods, while a quiet 3-acre pond beckons fishermen to catch largemouth bass, bluegill, and green sunfish. A horse trail is located on the eastern edge of the site. A picnic shelter is also available.
Stone Mill Trail, Lawrence Rd. in Harvard to Maxon Rd. in Chemung.(10 acres) Historically, a saw mill, grist mill and then a flour mill all existed on the Chemung end of the trail dating back to 1845. The Stone Mill trail provides a great recreational amenity to these two rural towns and provides a safe means of travel. Future phases of the trail will eventually connect Milky Way Park in Harvard to Boone County Conservation District’s Long Prairie Trail.
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