McHenry County Conservation District's 24,907 acres of open space provides wildlife habitat preservation, educational opportunities and recreational amenities for the citizens of McHenry County to appreciate and enjoy.
32 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 Piscasaw River runs through this site and provides abundant fishing opportunity for anglers. A .5 mile trail, group camping and a picnic shelter are also featured.
Boger Bog, 2100 Cherry Valley Rd., Bull Valley (37 acres)
This intimate site features a 1 mile nature trail with boardwalk, council ring, and picnic shelter. Not truly a bog but a graminoid fen, the site is comprised of numerous natural communities including a silt-loam prairie, calcareous seep and spring, an oak woodland and a sedge meadow.
 |
Fall at Coral Woods |
Brookdale, 18410 U.S. Hwy 14, Woodstock (1,645 acres)
The District’s Administrative Offices (open Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) are located here. In addition, the site features an 11-acre fishing pond, a 1 mile looped nature trail, wildlife observation deck, and picnic shelter.
Coral Woods, 7400 Somerset, Marengo (775 acres)
This sugar maple forest provides the sweet sap necessary for the annual maple syrup program.
The site is also known for its magnificent display of spring wildflowers and amazing fall colors. Visitors can hike or cross country ski on 2.8 miles of looped trails or enjoy lunch at the picnic shelter.
County Line Road Access, 4700 County Line Road, Marengo (10 acres)
A parking lot and short .3 mile trail provides anglers access to the Kishwaukee River.
Dufield Pond, Country Club Road, Woodstock (78 acres)
This wetland complex attracts a wide variety of wildlife and the 3-acre pond offers an opportunity for fishing.
Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve Varga Archaeological Site,
Hawk’s Point Road/11000 Lakeview Road, Richmond (352 acres)
Significant natural and archeological features including a graminoid bog highlight this site which includes a 238 acre Illinois State Nature Preserve. A 2 mile interpretive trail and observation deck are featured.
Exner Marsh, Lakewood & Miller Roads, Lake in the Hills (233 acres)
Over 100 acres of marshland provides a rich habitat for plants and animals. Roughly 1.5 miles of looped trails wind along the marsh borders.
Fel-Pro RRR, 1520 Crystal Lake Ave., Cary (277 acres)
A gift from the Fel-Pro families, this site combines opportunities for both recreation and preservation. Amenities include two small fishing ponds, 1.25 miles of nature trails plus a 1 mile paved trail, two picnic shelters, sand volleyball court, basketball court, ball diamond, frisbee golf and horseshoe pits.
Fox Bluff, Cary-Algonquin and Cold Springs Roads, Cary (279 acres)
Noted for its rolling hills and spring-fed streams, this site is home to oak woodlands, a sedge meadow, and a half-mile of Fox River frontage. A picnic shelter, .5 mile hiking trail and short 1/4 mile paved trail to river exist on the site.
 |
Glacial Park |
Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood (3,298 acres)
This remnant of glacial activity contains gravel kames, kettles, restored prairies, oak savannas and wetlands. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Powers-Walker historic homestead, The Wiedrich Barn and Research Field Station also exist on the site. Recreational opportunities include hiking, biking, canoeing, horseback riding, picnicking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and wildlife viewing.
Harrison Benwell, 7055 McCullom Lake Road, Wonder Lake (74 acres)
The oak and hickory woodland and meandering stream make this a favorite site for hikers or cross-country skiers along 1.7 miles of looped trails.
Hebron Trail (54 acres)
Constructed on the former K.D. railroad line, this 7-mile trail runs from Church St. in Hebron eastward through North Branch Conservation Area and links with the Prairie Trail in Richmond. A camp-by-bike area is located in North Branch for the convenience of bikers on longer trips.
Hickory Grove Highlands/Lyons Prairie & Marsh, 500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane, Cary (411 acres)
This site offers an unusual diversity of habitats and is home to an Illinois State Nature Preserve. The Highlands serves as a refuge for northern Illinois wildlife, while the Riverfront provides bank fishing along the Fox River. Camping, horseback riding, and 4.75 miles of hiking trails are featured.
 |
Lake Atwood at The Hollows |
High Point, 10250 Reese Road, Harvard (253 acres)
Notably, this site contains the highest glaciated point above sea level in the state. A one mile looped nature trail travels through an oak and hickory woodland and provides scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
The Hollows, 3804 U.S. Highway 14, Cary (478 acres)
More than 50 years of sand and gravel mining have given the Hollows its unusual landscape. Lake Atwood provides clear, deep water for non-motorized boats, canoes and kayaks. Fishing, group camping, and 5.5 miles of looped trails for hikers and cross country skiers make this a popular spot.
HUM Trail (Huntley-Union-Marengo) (260 acres)
This 3.5-mile hiking and biking trail runs from East St. in Marengo to Vine St. in Union and is Phase I of a regional trail conceptually will run 17 miles from Boone Co. to Huntley. (The trail head is located 1 block NE of Rt. 20 on Prospect St. behind Marengo Middle School.)
Kishwaukee Headwaters, U.S. Highway 14 & Dean St., Woodstock (153 acres) This wetland, sedge meadow and savanna complex offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore where the Kishwaukee River begins its journey. A 1.75 mile mowed path and boardwalk are featured.
Lake In the Hills Fen, 1500 Jefferson St., Lake In the Hills (408 acres)
A unique blend of dry gravel prairie, sedge meadow, a wetland complex, the Crystal Creek and a rare hanging graminoid fen make up this diverse habitat. A 1.3 mile mowed hiking trail, picnic shelter, and scenic vistas are appreciated by all who visit. Twenty-seven acres are dedicated as an Illinois State Nature Preserve.
Marengo Ridge, 13100 North Route 23, Marengo (818 acres)
The oak and hickory woodlands and restored prairie dominant this site. Five miles of looped hiking and cross- country ski trails, large picnic shelter, group camping, and Thomas Woods campground are featured.
Nippersink Canoe Base, 400 E. Route 12, Spring Grove (370 acres)
The Nippersink Canoe Base provides visitors with canoe and fishing access to Nippersink Creek. The site boasts a gallant oak and hickory grove with interpretive signage, picnic shelter, restrooms, drinking fountain and a short .35 mile wooded nature trail. Nippersink Canoe Base site protects the creek and surrounding wetland communities.
North Branch, 11500 N. Keystone Rd., Richmond (521 acres)
The 1.5 mile multi-purpose trail winds through prairie and savanna, over Nippersink Creek, and links 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 overnight camping for cyclists.
 |
Canoeing the Nippersink |
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.
Lost Valley Visitor Center (located within Glacial Park), Route 31 & Harts Rd., Ringwood. Open daily. (815) 678-4532.A model for green technologies, the visitor center serves as the epicenter for exploration of natural history and the study of natural resources. Changing exhibits, a variety of education programs and workshops, a drop-in library with WiFi, Research Field Station and reference library, encourage outdoor enthusiasts of all ages to delve deeper into the natural world.
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 (2,019 acres)
This mosaic of natural areas highlights an oak savanna, high-quality stream, restored wetland and prairie. Recreational opportunities include over 5 miles of hiking and nature trails, a 1.3 mile horse trail, a 2 acre fishing pond and outdoor amphitheater. Two picnic shelters with grills are and a lighted cross country ski trail for evening hours are available.
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. 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 (located within Silver Creek), 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake
Open daily. (815) 479-5779. A variety of education programs, drop-in family activity room, reference library, and changing exhibits geared toward nature enthusiasts of all ages are offered at Prairieview year round. Also, 6.5 miles of trails wind through prairie and savanna and over wetlands to the banks of the Fox River.
Ridgefield Trace
A 2-mile trail that runs within a Com-Ed right-of way from Oak St. in Crystal Lake to McHenry County College along Route 14. Currently Phase II is under construction which will extend the trail from Oak St. eastward to Veteran Acres in Crystal Lake, completed in 2012. Future stages will extend the trail from the college to the intersection of Lake Ave. and Route 47 in Woodstock, done in conjunction with the future widening of Route 14.
Rush Creek, 20501 McGuire Road, Harvard (664 acres)
Rush Creek incorporates a mixture of flood plain, upland forest, and grassy meadows. Recreational opportunities include 2.5 miles of hiking and cross country ski trails, a 5-mile horseback riding trail ride, a 4 acre fishing pond. Picnic and the large group campgrounds make this a popular site.
 |
The fall colors at Silver Creek |
Silver Creek, 1200 Block Rawson Bridge Road, Cary (840 acres)
This site takes its name from the stream that threads its way through the site. Over 5 miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails take visitors over a boardwalk through woodlands and wetlands. A small, 1-acre fishing pond is also featured. Prairieview Education Center is located on the north side of the site.
Stickney Run, 3216 West State Park Road, McHenry (629 acres)
Hikers and cross-country skiers can explore two,.5 mile trail loops through the woods. A picnic shelter and 3-acre fishing pond are also available.
Stone Mill Trail, Located between Lawrence Road in Harvard to Maxon Road in Chemung.(10 acres)
A 1.5-mile trail located between Lawrence Rd. in Harvard to Maxon Rd. in Chemung. 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. Conceptually, future phases will connect Milky Way Park in Harvard to Boone County Conservation District’s Long Prairie Trail.
Winding Creek, 8415 Johnson Rd., Hebron (359 acres)
This site protects an ancient oak grove and a high-quality portion of Nippersink Creek. A 1.7 mile looped nature trail, 1 acre fishing pond, bike rack and picnic shelter with grill offers visitors the components for a day’s outing.
The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required for all pdf files.