Glacial Park
3,400+ acres | 5 miles of trail | 4.78 miles of horse trail
Trail Maps: PDF AllTrails
Interpretive Trail Maps
Site Hours
Open Daily Sunrise to Sunset (Some sites are subject to Seasonal Closures or closures due to special circumstances).
Entrance
6705 Route 31, Ringwood (Route 31 and Harts Road)
Building Hours
Lost Valley Visitor Center - (815) 338-6223
April – October: Daily 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
November – March: Daily 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Check for Seasonal Closures or closures due to special circumstances.
Register for a program or event at Glacial Park.
About
Glacial Park is McHenry County Conservation District’s most treasured open space holding, characterized by its rolling prairie, delta kames, oak savanna and the tranquil presence of the meandering Nippersink Creek.
Encompassing 3,400+ acres, Glacial Park contains over 490 acres of dedicated nature preserve; harbors 40 state endangered and threatened plant and animal species; is listed as one of the top five areas to view migratory wetland birds in the region.
Glacial Park is the Conservation District’s most popular site, visited annually by more than 64,000 guests who hike or horseback along eight miles of trails; fish the shoreline of Nippersink Creek at Keystone Landing or Pioneer Road Landing…or bike a five-mile portion of the 26-mile Prairie Trail that skirts the eastern boundary of the park. In a place where wildlife viewing is plentiful, many spend time birding, picnicking or paddling the glistening waters of Nippersink Creek., a high-quality stream teeming with aquatic life — a place where numerous wetland waders and local wildlife also visit the water’s edge.
A day’s adventure includes a trip to the Lost Valley Visitor Center for a peek at changing exhibits, a stop in the Sandhill Study for trail maps, guide books, and activity pages, as well as update on upcoming featured programs, outdoor concerts or workshops. Glacial Park also allows plenty of do-it-yourself exploration opportunities including downloading the Glacial Park hiking app trekking the two-mile interpretive trail loop or using binoculars, guide books and viewing scopes on the outdoor treetop decks.
Gather your picnic and have lunch at the outdoor stone amphitheater, Kettle lot picnic area, or reserve the Harts Road Shelter for your group gathering. The Park is also rich in natural and cultural history; stop in at the historic Powers-Walker home during a special event or open house and get a glimpse of life in the late 1800s. When temperatures dip below freezing, outdoor adventures continue as visitors explore cross-country ski trails, nine miles of snowmobile trails, and a good old fashioned do-it-yourself-have fun sled hill.
Lost Valley Visitor Center
The Lost Valley Visitor Center resides in the geographic center of Glacial Park. Visitors can enjoy self-guided visits through exhibits or sign up for a variety of staff-led educational programs. Self-guided Family Exploration Packs and interpretive trails guides are also available to enhance your hiking experience in Glacial Park. During the winter months snow shoe rentals are also available. A research library houses historical maps, a database of ecological surveys, periodicals, books and soil and wetland maps.
Historic Powers-Walker House
Not far from the Visitor Center is the Powers-Walker House. The Powers-Walker House is a rich educational and historical resource that is open for special events and programs throughout the year. By participating in these events, visitors gain insight to the early settlers’ connection to the land. Annual events include the Ice Cream Social of 1858, Archeological Awareness, and the Harvest Time in 1858.
