SITE CLOSINGS

The majority of McHenry County Conservation District sites are open year-round for your enjoyment. For the few sites that do require seasonal closings, the District strives to keep them open as long as conditions permit. However, weather and safety concerns often dictate the closing of certain areas beginning in November.

The following sites will close as of November 1:

County Line Road Access
Nippersink Canoe Base, Spring Grove
Pioneer Canoe Landing, Richmond
Piscasaw North at Beck's Woods, Chemung
Thomas Woods at Marengo Ridge, Marengo.

 

The following sites close as soon as there is significant snowfall:

Brookdale/Paulsen Rd. Entrance (Site and Route 14 Entrance will remain open)
Elizabeth Lake/Lakeview Entrance
Fox Bluff/Cold Springs Rd. (Site will remain open)
Prairie Trail: Meyer Parking Lot, Algonquin and Hillside Parking Lot, Crystal Lake (Will close by Thanksgiving)
Exner Marsh/Miller Road Parking Lot, Lake in the Hills (site and Lakewood entrance remain open)

 

The following sites close when ice begins to form:

The Riverfront at Hickory Grove, Cary
Dufield Pond, Woodstock
Lake Atwood in the Hollows, Crystal Lake (Lake Atwood will re-open for ice fishing once there is 4 inches or more of ice)

Site Closings for Hunting Program

Oct. 25-Nov. 2: Fel Pro RRR, Cary
Oct. 25-Dec. 16: Glacial Park North Shelter
Nov. 3-Nov. 11: Hickory Grove, Cary (No hunting M-Tues.-Wed. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Lyons Prairie & Marsh, Cary
Silver Creek, Cary
Nov. 16-Nov. 18 & Nov. 29-Dec. 2 & Jan. 18-Jan 20: Marengo Ridge, Marengo
Rush Creek, Harvard

The following sites are closed as a safety precaution due to hunting on neighboring sites:

Nov. 16-Nov. 18 & Nov. 29-Dec 2 & Jan. 18-Jan. 20: Beck's Woods, Coral Woods, Harrison Benwell, Brookdale
Nov. 29-Dec. 2: Glacial Park

All District campsites close on December 1st. The Marengo Ridge Group Campground will remain open for winter camping.