Picnics
Tip: Use our interactive map 
to locate specific picnic areas!
McHenry County Conservation District has several shelters and picnic areas available for reservation on a first come, first serve basis.
To reserve a site, a completed permit and any necessary fee is due in the District's main office at 815-338-6223 (Monday-Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm) at least ten (10) working days in advance of your desired date for approval.
At this time, reservations can only be taken in English; no se habla espanol. Please note, the use of amplified music and pinatas are prohibited on MCCD sites.
Permits are required for Shelter or Picnic Area use by groups of 16 or more people, or by groups of any size who wish to guarantee use of that area.
Refunds are issued on cancellations received ten (10) working days in advance. The District will not issue refunds or carry over reservations that are cancelled due to weather-related conditions.
To reserve a site at Thomas Woods call the District office at (815) 338-MCCD (6223). Campers are welcome without reservations if space is available. The District's on-site campground host issues permits, sells firewood and collects the necessary fees.
Sites & Facilities
The A*B*C's of MCCD Site Use
• ALCOHOL may not be consumed within 100 feet of a parking area. The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
• AMPLIFIED MUSIC is prohibited at all District sites.
• BICYCLES allowed only upon roadways, parking areas and designated bicycle trails.
• CAMPING is allowed by permit only and is confined to those areas designated as such. Completed permits and necessary fees must be received in the District’s Main Office ten (10) working days in advance of your desired date.
• FIRES permitted in designated areas only.
• FISHING allowed at designated sites. All regulations of the Illinois Department of Conservation shall apply unless posted otherwise.
• GEOCACHES: Advanced permission from the District is required prior to the placement of geocaches on MCCD sites (any unpermitted geocaches are subject to removal). Please email geocache@mccdistrict.org or call the Main Office at 815-338-6223 for more information.
• HORSES confined to those areas designated for such use.
• HOURS: Most conservation sites are open daily at sunrise and close at sunset; site gates open at 8:00 a.m. Use only designated areas for parking--do not park in front of gates. Times may vary depending upon season or special events and will be posted.
• LITTERING and the burning of litter is prohibited.
• PETS must be leashed at all times.
• PICNICS and SHELTER USE authorized in designated areas. Permits are required for groups of 16 people or more, and for groups of 15 people or less wishing to guarantee use of those areas. Completed permits and necessary fees must be received in the District’s Main Office ten (10) working days in advance of your desired date.
• PINATAS are prohibited at all MCCD sites.
• PLANTS shall not be removed, disturbed, harmed or destroyed in any way within conservation sites.
• SPECIAL USE requests for activities or uses of the site must be approved in advance.
• SWIMMING is prohibited.
• TRAILS are maintained to preserve the natural qualities of the sites. Off-trail use is not allowed without prior approval.
• VEHICLES allowed only on roads or areas designated for such use.
For more information or to check the status of the ponds, please call the District's Main Office at 815-338-6223.
Beck's Woods
printable map
5940 N. Pagles Road
Chemung
Shelter/Picnic:150 people, parking for 40 cars
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking
Brookdaleprintable map
18410 US Highway 14
Woodstock
Shelter/Picnic (Paulsen Rd.): 75 people; parking for 23 cars
Activities: Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking
Coral Woodsprintable map
7400 Somerset Dr.
Marengo
Shelter (electricity): 50 people, parking for 30 cars
Activities: Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Picnicking
Exner Marshprintable map
Lakewood and Miller Roads
Lake in the Hills
Shelter/Picnic: 80 people, parking for 20 cars
Activities: Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Picnicking
Fox Bluffprintable map
Cary-Algonquin Rd. & Cold Springs Rd.
Cary
Shelter/Picnic: 75 people; parking for 55 cars
Activities: Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking
Glacial Parkprintable map
6316 Harts Road
Ringwood
Picnic: 80 people, parking for 20 cars
(Additional parking at Wiedrich Education Center for 50 cars)
Activities: Camping, Canoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Horse Trails, Picnicking
Harrison Benwellprintable map
7055 McCullom Lake Road
Wonder Lake
Shelter: 100 people
Parking for 25 cars total
Activities: Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Picnicking
Hickory Grove Highlandsprintable map
700 Hickory Nut Grove Lane
Cary
Shelter Grove #1: 80 people, parking for 30 cars
Shelter Grove #2: 80 People, parking for 30 cars
Activities: Fishing, Hiking, Horse Trails, Picnicking
Hickory Grove Riverfrontprintable map
500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane
Cary
Shelter/Picnic: 80 people, parking for 20 cars
Activities: Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horse Trails, Picnicking
The Hollowsprintable map
3804 Route 14
Cary
Shelter Grove #1: 75 people, parking for 25 cars
Picnic Grove #2: 60 people, parking for 12 cars
Picnic Grove #3: 60 people, parking for 12 cars
Lake Atwood Shelter: 50 people, parking for 20 cars
Activities: Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horse Trails, Picnicking
Lyle C. Thomas Landingprintable map
7700 Block Route 12
Spring Grove
Picnic: 150 people, parking for 50 cars
Activities: Canoeing, Fishing, Picnicking
Marengo Ridgeprintable map
3100 N. Route 23
Marengo
Shelter (electricity): 50 people, parking for 25 cars
Picnic: 50 people, parking for 20 cars
Activities: Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Picnicking
Pleasant Valleyprintable map
13315 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Woodstock
Amphitheater Shelter: 50 people
Shelter with Grill: 50 people
Parking for 50 cars in Main Lot; parking for an additional 49 cars in second lot
Rush Creekprintable map
20501 McGuire Road, Harvard
Group Camping: 80 people, parking for 20 cars
Shelter: 100 people, parking for 25 cars
Picnic: 100 people, parking for 25 cars
Activities: Hiking, Picnicking, Horse Trails, Fishing, Cross-Country Skiing, Camping
Stickney Runprintable map
3716 State Park Road, McHenry
Shelter/Picnic: 80 people, parking for 20 cars
Activities: Horse Trail, Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking
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