Closures & Alerts
Know Before you Go.
Covid-19 Impact: Sites and trails are open as long as the rules contained in the Governor’s Executive Order are followed including all social distancing and gathering requirements.
Picnic Shelter Reservations PLEASE NOTE: All permit reservations need to comply with the State of Illinois Restore Illinois Guidelines for COVID-19 regulations and protocols. It is understood that these guidelines may be amended or updated from time to time.
Special Permit Groups will be required to supply a written COVID-19 protocol guidelines plan that will comply with the State of Illinois Restore Illinois Guidelines for COVID-19 to be in use for their group gathering or event during the time on a Conservation District Site. It is understood that these guidelines may be amended or updated from time to time.
Programs A variety of programs are being offered online or outside where social distancing can be applied. Registration is required for all participants. Space is limited to allow for physical distancing from other non-family members. Face masks are required for all participants during the entire program. Participants are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer. In addition, a number of self-guided programs and activities, as well as E-Learning are available.
seasonal closures - Many McHenry County Conservation District sites are open year-round for your enjoyment.
However, weather, seasonal closures, or safety concerns often dictate the closing of certain sites, trails, and launches.
Check current conditions and status updates prior to your adventure:
Site Closures (Weather-Related, Special Circumstances, and Seasonal Closures)
Bike Trails
Canoe/Kayak Launch Status
Cross-Country Ski Trail Status
Facilities
Horse Trail Status
Winter Closures: The parking lots of select sites will close with 2″ of snowfall; but remain open to walk-in traffic. If the weather becomes mild, gates and parking lots will re-open. However, after Jan. 2 AND a significant snowfall, gates, parking lots, and restrooms will remain closed for the season; but remain open to walk-in traffic for use of the trails during daylight hours.
Status and Conditions
Beck's Woods
Main Entrance
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Piscasaw
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Boger Bog
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Boone Creek
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Brookdale
Rt. 14 Entrance
West side trails: OPEN
Main parking lot: OPEN
Paulson Road Entrance
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Community Research Forest
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Coral Woods
Pedestrian use and parking lot: OPEN
County Line Road Access
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Dufield Pond
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
North Entrance
Parking lot and pond: OPEN
Elizabeth Lake Varga Archaeological Site
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Exner Marsh
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Fel-Pro RRR
Pedestrian use and parking lots: OPEN
Disc golf holes: OPEN (ALL)
Fox Bluff
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Glacial Park
Pedestrian use and parking lots: OPEN
Harrison Benwell
Pedestrian use and parking lots: OPEN
Hickory Grove and Lyons Prairie & Marsh
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Highlands and Lyons Parking Lots: OPEN
Riverfront Parking Lot: OPEN
High Point
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
The Hollows
Main
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Lake Atwood
Parking lot: OPEN
Keystone Landing
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Kishwaukee Headwaters
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Lake in the Hills Fen
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Lyle C. Thomas Memorial Park
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Marengo Ridge
Pedestrian and parking lot: OPEN
Nippersink Canoe Base
Pedestrian and parking lot: OPEN
As conditions dictate (ice formation and/or cold temperatures).
North Branch
Pedestrian use: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Pioneer Canoe Landing
Pedestrian and parking lot: OPEN
Pleasant Valley
Pedestrian use and parking lot: OPEN
Rush Creek
Pedestrian use and parking lot: OPEN
Silver Creek
Pedestrian use and parking lot: OPEN
Stickney Run
Pedestrian use and parking lot: OPEN
Winding Creek
Early parking & Prairie Loop: OPEN
Wooded Trail: OPEN
Main Parking: OPEN
Updated 4/16/2021
Boone Creek
Horse Trail: OPEN
Brookdale Multi Use
Horse Trail: OPEN
Glacial Park
Horse Trail: OPEN
Hebron Trail
Horse Trail: OPEN
Hickory Grove Highlands & Lyons Prairie & Marsh
Horse Trail: OPEN
Pleasant Valley
Horse Trail: OPEN
Prairie Trail North
Horse Trail: OPEN
Rush Creek
Horse Trail: OPEN
Stickney Run
Horse Trail: OPEN
Glacial Park
Condition: POOR
Harrison Benwell
Condition: POOR
Hickory Grove
Condition: POOR
The Hollows
Condition: POOR
Lyons Prairie & Marsh
Condition: POOR
Marengo Ridge
Condition: POOR
Pleasant Valley
Condition: POOR
Prairieview
Condition: POOR
Rush Creek
Condition: POOR
Silver Creek (Skate Ski)
Condition: POOR
Attention Paddlers: Be advised, downed trees or river debris can occur at anytime along the entire route and we cannot provide updated conditions. The District does not remove obstacles on/along private property.
Check Real Time Water Levels (3rd Graph needs to be below 6.5 feet for clearance under bridges.)
Keystone Landing
Launch: OPEN
Lyle C. Thomas
Launch: OPEN
Nippersink Canoe Base
Launch: OPEN
Pioneer Canoe Landing
Launch: OPEN
Hebron Trail
Trail: OPEN
Note: Trail dead ends at Lange Rd. before un guarded railroad crossing.
H.U.M. Trail
Trail: OPEN
Parking lot: OPEN
Parking lots close with 2″ of snowfall, but remain open to walk-in traffic. If the weather becomes mild, gates and parking lots will re-open. However, after Jan. 2 AND a significant snowfall, gates and parking lots will close for the season; but remain open to walk-in traffic.
The Prairie Trail
Trail: OPEN
Hillside parking lot: OPEN
Main street north parking lot: OPEN
Main street south parking lot: OPEN
Meyer Drive parking lot: OPEN
Parking lots close with 2" of snowfall, but remain open to walk-in traffic. If the weather becomes mild, gates and parking lots will re-open. However, after Jan. 2 AND a significant snowfall, gates and parking lots will close for the season, but remain open to walk-in traffic.
Ridgefield Trace
Trail: OPEN
Stone Mill Trail
Trail: OPEN
Lost Valley Visitor Center
Open daily 10 a.m.-4:00p.m.
Register for a program or event at Lost Valley Visitor Center.
Prairieview Education Center
Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Register for a program or event at Prairieview Education Center.
Brookdale Administrative Staff Offices
Monday-Friday hours vary.