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BECKS WOODS CONSERVATION AREA
283 acres | 0.5 mile trail | Trail Map5940 North Pagles Rd, Chemung
Piscasaw Creek runs through this quiet and peaceful site, making it a perfect location for fishing and group camping opportunities. Read More
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BOGER BOG CONSERVATION AREA
38 acres | 1 mile of trail | Trail Map2100 Cherry Valley Rd, Bull Valley
This intimate site features a one mile looped nature trail with boardwalk, council fire ring, and a small picnic shelter. Within its boundaries, there exists six different natural communities, including a rare mesic silt loam prairie, oak woodland and sedge meadow. Read More
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BOONE CREEK CONSERVATION AREA
608 acres | 1.98 miles of trail | Trail Map916 N Cold Springs Rd, Bull Valley
This picturesque site offers a 2 mile hiking trail, wildlife watching through viewing scopes, and picnicking on the observation deck. A 1.3 mile horse trail link runs through the site for local riders. Read More
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BROOKDALE CONSERVATION AREA
1,645 acres | 7.2 miles of trail | Trail MapMain Entrance: 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock
Paulsen Road Entrance: 2105 Paulson Rd, Woodstock
Visitors to Brookdale can enjoy a 1 mile trail that transverses one side of the 11 acre pond and loops through a former pine tree farm. In addition, a picnic shelter, restrooms, handicap accessible fishing platform, horse trailer lot and 6.15 mile multi-use trail can be accessed via the Paulsen Road Entrance on the east side of the pond. Read More
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Community Research Forest
93 acres | 1 miles of trail | Trail Map20411 Streit Road, Harvard
The 93-acre Community Research Forest offers visitors a one-mile looped nature trail along relatively level ground with gentle slopes that crosses a couple of intermittent streams with stepping stones, making for an easy, single-file hike. There is also a bench overlooking a small pond along the way. Read More
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CORAL WOODS CONSERVATION AREA
794 acres | 2.8 miles of trail | Trail Map7400 Somerset, Marengo
Coral Woods represents one of the last oak groves in McHenry County that contains 100 acres or more of continuous oak woodland. This conservation area also boasts the county’s largest sugar maple grove where trees have stood for 80-100 years, as well as beautiful spring wildflowers, stunning fall colors and home to the annual Festival of the Sugar Maples each March. Read More
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COUNTY LINE ROAD ACCESS CONSERVATION AREA
10 acres | 0.3 miles of trail | Trail Map4700 County Line Road, Marengo
A short .3 mile trail provides anglers access to the Kishwaukee River where they can fish for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and various species of panfish. Paddlers looking to venture south on the Kishwaukee river also utilize the parking lot, situated across the street from the canoe/kayak launch. Read More
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DUFIELD POND CONSERVATION AREA
78 acres | 0.75 miles of trail | Trail MapNorth: 11750 Country Club Rd, Woodstock
South: 11418 McConnell Road, Woodstock
From the north entrance, anglers can cast a line in the 7 acre lake and try for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie channel catfish and yellow perch. The south entrance offers visitors a beautiful .75 mile interpretive trail beneath towering oak woodlands. Read More
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ELIZABETH LAKE NATURE PRESERVE VARGA ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
345 acres | 1.7 miles of trail | Trail Map11059 Lakeview Road, Richmond
Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve Varga Archeological Site is a large, diverse wetland community. The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) identified Lake Elizabeth as the highest quality lake ecosystem remaining in McHenry County and one of the highest in Illinois. Read More
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EXNER MARSH CONSERVATION AREA
220 acres | 1.3 miles of trail | Trail MapLakewood Entrance: 9000 Lakewood Road, Lake in the Hills
Miller Road Entrance: 9105 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills
Home to a variety of bird species, the site consists of emergent shallow water marsh punctuated by shallow ponds throughout. Visitors hike the 1.3 mile trail that offers scenic views of this rich wetland community. Read More
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FEL-PRO RRR CONSERVATION AREA
277 acres | 2.5 miles of trail | Trail MapMain Entrance: 1520 Crystal Lake Road, Cary
West Entrance: 1900 Crystal Lake Road, Cary
Fel-Pro RRR is an example of protecting natural areas habitat while providing diverse outdoor recreational opportunities. Unlike any other site the Conservation District owns, Fel-Pro RRR offers visitors activities such as a sand volleyball court, basketball court, and a disc golf course, along with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and picnicking. Read More
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FOX BLUFF CONSERVATION AREA
279 acres | 2.5 miles of trail | Trail MapCary-Algonquin & Cold Springs Road, Cary
The Fox Bluff complex includes woodlands, wetlands, fens, and wet prairies, with hiking and access to the Fox River. It features steep terrain with varying slopes and ravines. Read More
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GLACIAL PARK CONSERVATION AREA
3,400+ acres | 5 miles of trail | 4.78 miles of horse trail | Trail Map6705 Route 31, Ringwood (Route 31 and Harts Road)
Characterized by its rolling prairie, delta kames, oak savanna and the Nippersink Creek, Glacial Park contains 490+ acres of dedicated nature preserve, and harbors 40 state endangered and threatened species. It is home to the Lost Valley Visitor Center, the Historic Powers-Walker House, and lies within the boundaries of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.
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H.U.M. TRAIL
3.2 mile trail | Trail Map111 North Prospect Street, Marengo (Trailhead/Parking)
The Huntley-Union-Marengo trail currently runs from East Street in Marengo to Vine Street in Union. This 3.2 mile paved, multi-use trail provides a recreational amenity for local bikers, strollers, runners and dog walkers alike. Traveling alongside railroad tracks and past wooded areas, the trail provides an opportunity for a family bike ride or daily exercise route, linking the neighborhoods of Marengo and downtown Union. Read More
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HARRISON BENWELL CONSERVATION AREA
75 acres | 1.6 miles of trail | Trail Map7055 McCullom Lake Road, Wonder Lake
Hikers enjoy the canopy of the oak and hickory savanna and small meandering stream. During the winter the trails are open for cross-country skiing. Visitors also take advantage of the picnicking opportunities. Read More
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HEBRON TRAIL
Trail MapWest (Church St to Lange Rd): 2.59 miles
East (Keystone Rd to Lange Rd): 2.47 miles
Trail Link through North Branch: 1.5 miles
The Hebron Trail connects to the Prairie Trail through North Branch Conservation Area near Richmond and travels west to Lange Rd. where the trail currently ends. Read More
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HICKORY GROVE CONSERVATION AREA
310 acres | 3.5 miles of trails | Trail MapHickory Grove Highlands & Riverfront: 500 Hickory Nut Grove Road, Cary
Hickory Grove Highlands offers opportunities for hiking through beautiful woodlands and features interpretive trail signs, while Hickory Grove Riverfront offers anglers the opportunity to bank-fish along the Fox River. Read More
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HIGH POINT CONSERVATION AREA
253 acres | 1 mile of trail | Trail Map10250 Reese Road, Harvard
High Point Conservation Area boasts the highest glaciated point in Illinois at 1,189’ above sea level. It offers a mixture of oak and hickory savanna and ephemeral wetlands creating attractive habitat for many bird species. This quiet site provides visitors an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities. Read More
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KEYSTONE ROAD CANOE LANDING
Nippersink Canoe Trail Map6500 Keystone Road, Richmond
This is a popular spot to launch a canoe or kayak for a trip down the Nippersink. Keystone Landing also offers a less-traveled hiking trail that can be used to access various fishing spots along the Nippersink or just for a peaceful hike. Read More
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KISHWAUKEE HEADWATERS CONSERVATION AREA
153 acres | 1.75 miles of trail | Trail MapUS Highway 14 & Dean St, Woodstock
This wetland, sedge meadow and savanna complex offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore where the Kishwaukee River begins its journey. It features a mowed path and boardwalk, as well as a picnic shelter. Read More
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LAKE IN THE HILLS FEN CONSERVATION AREA
408 acres | 1.3 miles of trail | Trail Map1500 Jefferson Street, Lake in the Hills
A unique blend of dry gravel prairie, sedge meadow, wetlands, 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. Read More
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LOST VALLEY VISITOR CENTER
Located in Glacial Park | Trail MapBegin your day's adventure in Glacial Park at the Lost Valley Visitor Center. The facility hosts a myriad of environmental education programs, camps and special events, as well as an exhibit room, drop-in library with puzzles and games, back patio for picnicking, and a research library. Self-guided explorations, binoculars, backpacks to check out and snow shoe rentals are also available. Read More
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LYLE C. THOMAS MEMORIAL PARK
Nippersink Canoe Trail Map2816 Blivin St., Spring Grove
Owned by the Village of Spring Grove and Maintained by McHenry County Conservation District
Located along the Nippersink Creek in Spring Grove, this site is excellent as a pull-out location for a paddle down the Nippersink. It is also only a short 2 hour paddle to the Nippersink Canoe base, making it a great starting point for a shorter paddle.
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LYONS PRAIRIE & MARSH CONSERVATION AREA
411 acres | 1 mile of trails | Trail Map7000 S Hickory Nut Grove Road, Cary
Lyons Prairie & Marsh has the distinction of being named as an Illinois State Nature Preserve. Besides providing stunning views, Lyons Prairie and Marsh also offers opportunities for horseback riders and cross-country skiers, as well as anglers who can fish the small 2.5 acre pond. Read More
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MARENGO RIDGE CONSERVATION AREA
818 acres | 7.65 miles of trail | Trail Map2411 N. Route 23, Marengo
Marengo Ridge Conservation Area is one of McHenry County’s most popular and treasured areas. It contains over 818 acres of oak and hickory woodlands interspersed with spruce, aspen, ash and sumac groves. The site is host to picnic shelters that provide stunning views, as well as Thomas Woods Campground.
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NIPPERSINK CANOE BASE CONSERVATION AREA
377 acres | 0.35 miles of trail | Trail Map400 E US Highway 12, Spring Grove
This site is home to a variety of natural communities including savanna and woodland, marsh, fen and sedge meadow. The creek and its wetlands support a thriving diversity of fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. This is a common endpoint for a day of paddling that begins at either Keystone Road Landing, Pioneer Landing, or Lyle C. Thomas Memorial Park. Read More
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NORTH BRANCH CONSERVATION AREA
521 acres | 1.5 miles of trail | Trail Map11500 North Keystone Road, Richmond
Tucked away in the in the extreme northeastern part of McHenry County lies 521 acres of preserved open space known as North Branch Conservation Area. Due to its biologically rich ecosystems, the site is teeming with wildlife. North Branch features picnic areas as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and snowmobile trails for visitors to enjoy. Read More
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PIONEER ROAD CANOE LANDING
Nippersink Canoe Trail Map7049 Pioneer Road, Richmond
This is a popular spot to put in/take out a canoe or kayak along Nippersink Creek. Pioneer Landing is the second stop on the longer Nippersink Canoe Trail. If you begin at Keystone Landing, it is a 6.7 mile paddle to Pioneer Landing. From Pioneer Landing it is another 4.42 miles downstream to the next stop at Lyle C. Thomas Memorial Park. Read More
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PLEASANT VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA
2,080 acres | 5 miles of trail | Trail Map13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock
Pleasant Valley expands 2,080 acres and is a mosaic of natural areas including a high-quality oak savanna, grade ‘A’ stream, never before plowed wetland and an impressive prairie ecosystem. This combination of habitats creates one of the most biologically diverse, and stunningly beautiful sites in the county. Read More
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POWERS-WALKER HOUSE
Located in Glacial Park | Trail MapThe 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 Gathering of 1858. Read More
PRAIRIE TRAIL NORTH
Prairie Trail North (Village of McHenry - Wisconsin State Line) | 9 miles of trailTrail Map
The Prairie Trail travels from the Kane County border on the south to the Wisconsin State Line to the north, connecting eight McHenry County communities along the way allowing a safe and convenient means of travel sunrise to sunset. The Prairie Trail North is an unpaved section that runs from the Village of McHenry to the Wisconsin border. Read More
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PRAIRIE TRAIL SOUTH
Prairie Trail South (Algonquin - Village of McHenry) | 17 miles of trailTrail Map
The Prairie Trail travels from the Kane County border on the south to the Wisconsin State Line to the north, connecting eight McHenry County communities along the way allowing a safe and convenient means of travel sunrise to sunset. The Prairie Trail South is paved and runs from the county line in Algonquin to the Village of McHenry. Read More
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PRAIRIEVIEW EDUCATION CENTER
Located in Silver Creek | Trail Map2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake
Phone: (815) 479-5779
Prairieview Education Center offers free and low-cost nature programs, youth group programs, summer camps, school field trips and nature-themed birthday . The facility hosts traveling exhibits, a reference library, and a family drop-in “Exploration Station.” It is located within Silver Creek Conservation Area, which offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing.
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RIDGEFIELD TRACE
3.2 mile trail | Trail MapRidgefield Trace is a paved trail that offer residents a safe mode of travel whether by foot, bike or rollerblade. The trail extends primarily along Route 14, for 7.5 miles from Lake Ave. in Woodstock to Walkup Ave. in Crystal Lake. Route 14 was originally an Indian trail (also known as a trace) and Ridgefield was one of the first towns in the area. Read More
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RUSH CREEK CONSERVATION AREA
726 acres | 2 miles of hiking trail | Trail Map20501 McGuire Road, Harvard
Rush Creek Conservation Area contains a mixture of upland forest, oak and hickory woodlands, wetlands and sedge meadows. A small pond offers anglers a quiet place to fish, and features an almost six-mile long horseback riding loop. Visitors can rent out the picnic shelter for daytime gatherings, or small groups can reserve campsites and sleep under the stars.
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SILVER CREEK CONSERVATION AREA
840 acres | 5 miles of trails | Trail Map1009 Rawson Bridge Road, Cary
Silver Creek Conservation Area 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 pond for fishing is also featured, and Prairieview Education Center is located on the north side of the site.
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STICKNEY RUN CONSERVATION AREA
629 acres | 1.25 miles of trail | Trail Map3216 West State Park Road, McHenry
Hikers and cross-country skiers can explore two .5 mile trail loops through the woods. A picnic shelter and a 3-acre pond for fishing are also available. Stickney Run is home to a wide range of wildlife species due to the variety of habitats available on this site. Read More
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STONE MILL TRAIL
1.5 mile trail | Trail MapThe 1.5 mile Stone Mill trail paved multi-use trail takes users from Maxon Road in Chemung, along Ramer Road to Lawrence Road near Milky Way Park in Harvard. Stone Mill Trail connects two rural towns, providing a safe means of travel and additional recreational amenity for local residents to walk, bike or rollerblade.
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THE HOLLOWS CONSERVATION AREA
478 acres | 4.75 miles of trail | Trail Map3804 US Highway 14, Cary
The Hollows is one of the District's most popular sites. Visitors can trek on over 4 miles of looped nature trails or cross-country ski on two miles of groomed trails in the winter. Group camp sites are available for those looking to pitch a tent, gather around a campfire and enjoy a starry night. The crystal clear waters of Lake Atwood (22 acres) make this a favorite of fishermen whether from shore, or in a canoe, kayak, or electric motorized rowboat.
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THOMAS WOODS CAMPGROUND
Located in Marengo Ridge Conservation Area | Trail Map2411 N. Route 23, Marengo
Spend a night outdoors in Marengo Ridge Conservation Area's Thomas Woods Campground. Camp by tent or RV. Most sites are non-electric, but we also offer two electric sites for RVs. Firewood is also available for purchase, so you can enjoy dinner cooked over a campfire and s'mores! Read More
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WINDING CREEK CONSERVATION AREA
631 acres | 1.7 miles of trail | Trail Map8415 Johnson Road, Hebron
The focal point of this site are ancient oak grove remnants. It also features a high-quality portion of Nippersink Creek. A 1.7 mile looped multipurpose hiking trail runs through restored prairie and woodland and circles the small 1-acre pond where anglers can fish for largemouth and pan fish. Read More
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