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< Back Trask Bridge 11532 Trask Bridge Road, Rockford, IL 61101 Trask Bridge is 15-acres along the Pecatonica River and is a favorite for picnicking and fishing. Also provides a boat launch and canoe access to river but not in the oxbow. Acres: 15 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: 1 Coffee Tree: Wood shelter, 80 max. people, 8 tables, 48 seats, No electricity, No vehicle access. Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 0.0 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: 1 Canoe Launch: Yes 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: Fishing Area, Artesian Well Donated Land: Yes Natural Areas: No All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE Previous Next

< Back Four Lakes 10207 Fish Hatchery Road, Pecatonica, IL 61063 Four Lakes is 186.1-acres containing four small man-made lakes. This is the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County’s most popular fishing area. Fish stocked include: bluegills, channel catfish, largemouth bass (catch & release on bass at this location), brown bullheads, redear sunfish, northern pike. No minnows are allowed for bait use to prevent diseases and invasive fish species. This preserve annually hosts Hooked On Fun, a free kids fishing event! The entrance at 10180 Trask Bridge Road (Highway 70), Pecatonica, IL 61063 has a sporting dog training area that is open year round. It requires on-site day use registration at no charge. Rules and regulations are posted. Dogs should be kept within training posted boundary signs. There are 25 acres of upland field training area and 1/2 acre pond for retriever training. This is a great area for those wanting to run and train their sporting breed pointers, flushers, and retrievers. Acres: 186.1 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: 1 Lake View: Wood shelter, 80 max. people, 4-12ft. tables, 48 seats, No electricity, No vehicle access. Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Sporting Dog Training Area: Yes Hiking Trails(miles): 0.0 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: Fishing Areas, Sporting Dog Training Area Donated Land: No Natural Areas: No All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Indian Hill 7061 Kishwaukee Road, Rockford, IL 61109 49.5-acre Indian Hill Forest Preserve is a favorite for an easy yet engaging hike through some of Winnebago County’s most picturesque woodlands. This forest preserve offers an alluring little shady woodland trail just long enough to stretch your legs and relax your mind. The 1.70 mile trail starts off with a few hills some twists and turns, but is primarily flat and wide. On your hike you will discover a handful of mature oak trees, so beautiful and statuesque they ask you to stop and stare. There is a quick loop off the trail that goes to a high bluff overlooking dense forest and floodplain about fifty feet down, and a bench for you to sit and enjoy this unique view of the Rock River. The rest of the trail walks through walnut tree plantation, and a tall white pine forest that allows the sun to peek in through the skinny pine needles. Acres: 49.5 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 1.70 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: Conservation Area Donated Land: Yes Natural Areas: No All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Clayton Andrews 8399 Kiowa Crossing, Roscoe, IL 61073 Clayton Andrews is an 88-acre undeveloped natural area of low-lying wetland terrain. Acres: 88 Access Road: No Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No Picnic Tables: No Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 2.1 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: Wildlife Conservation Area Donated Land: Yes Natural Areas: Yes All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Blackhawk Springs 5360 Mulford Road & 5801 Perryville Rd, Cherry Valley, IL 61016 One of Winnebago County’s largest forest preserves, this 629.9-acre tract is heavily wooded, and provides a wealth of fishing and hiking activities. Blackhawk Springs has 7.5 miles of easy to moderate hiking trails, and a 2.3-mile scenic, paved recreation path. Walking the trails here will lead you to an exploration of flower-filled prairies, cool shady woodlands, the glistening Kishwaukee River, and a lovely little bubbling natural spring. The beautiful and healthy Kishwaukee River makes this preserve a favorite destination in summer. Whether you want to enjoy the flowing stream as you hike, bike, jog or push a stroller on the paved path, or sit on the shady bank and fish, this is an ideal spot to enjoy rippling waters. And don’t forget to visit in the winter when the paved trail is cleared of snow offering a nice opportunity for walkers and joggers to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Seasonal Highlights: Woodland wildflowers are a spring treat in the mature woods on the east side of the preserve. May is the best time to see trilliums, jack-in-the-pulpits, may apples, and other shade-loving early blooms. Blackhawk Springs is an excellent site for birdwatching, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Look for Osprey and Bald Eagles fishing in the river. Acres: 629.9 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: 1 Indian Springs: 300 max. people, 25 tables, 150 seats, Electricity, No vehicle access, 30 more tables in the area for a total of 300 people. Playground Equipment: Yes Ball Fields: Yes Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 7.5 Paved Trail:2.3 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: Paved Recreation Trail Donated Land: No Natural Areas: Yes All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Hartley Memorial 14990 Campbell Road, Durand, IL 61024 Hartley Memorial is a 40-acre undeveloped natural area of mature oak-hickory woodland. No trails are provided but public parking is provided on the north side of the preserve. Hartley is an ideal spot for enjoying wild flowers and bird watching. Acres: 40 Access Road: No Parking Lot: Yes Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No Picnic Tables: No Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 0.0 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: Yes Special Facilities: Conservation Area Donated Land: Yes Natural Areas: Yes All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back J. Norman Jensen 14400 S. Bluff, Rockton, IL 61072 The 112.5 acres of land along the Rock River west of Rockton provide scenic river vistas as well as important prairie wetlands and natural areas. Offering about a mile of frontage on the river, Jensen Forest Preserve is a popular fishing location and offers many opportunities to view the scenic Rock River. The loop hiking path traverses through a mix of prairie and forest landscape. It includes about ten acres of remnant dry gravel prairie which is home to several rare plants. Enjoy a hike along the winding grass trail through the restored oak savanna. Bring your binoculars for your visit to Jensen’s forests and wetland that harbor many species of migratory birds, ducks and other waterfowl. This preserve is a favorite roosting area for bald eagles and osprey that fish along the river. Acres: 112.5 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: No Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 1.1 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Donated Land: No Natural Areas: Yes All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Sugar River Alder 10255 Haas Road, Shirland, IL 61079 Sugar River Alder is a 537.8-acre tract of sandy soil which harbors unique habitats not found elsewhere in this region. Floodplain forest, oak savanna, restored and remnant prairie savanna, as well as upland forest support a diversity of plant animal species that can be found only in this spot. Sand deposited by the wind after the last glaciation formed dunes and ridges along the Sugar River. The dunes and ridges were eventually stabilized by forest and prairie vegetation. The Sugar River is a migration route for birds; over 150 species have been banded at the bird-banding station in the adjacent Colored Sands Forest Preserve. Sugar River Alder’s unique geology, dolomite prairie with sandy soil, make it an ideal place to observe unusual reptiles and amphibians. Sugar River Alder offers great hiking trails in one of the most quiet forest preserves and great views of wide open sky and sweeping unspoiled vistas. Acres: 537.8 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 4.9 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: Yes Special Facilities: No Donated Land: No Natural Areas: Yes All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Millrace Isle 2600 W. Rockton Road, Rockton, IL 61072 Acres: 132.6 Access Road: No Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No Picnic Tables: No Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 0.0 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: No Donated Land: No Natural Areas: No All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Fuller Memorial 6700 Fitzgerald Road, Rockford, IL 61102 Fuller Memorial is comprised of 135-acres. A portion of its oakwoods is designated as a bird sanctuary. Acres: 135 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: Yes Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 2.0 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: Bird sanctuary (closed to the public) Donated Land: Yes Natural Areas: Yes All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next

< Back Cedar Cliff 7901 Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley, IL 61084 Cedar Cliff, acquired in 2017, features 60-foot high limestone cliffs that extend 800 feet along the Rock River. The former farmland is being restored to short grass prairie habitat. The unique cliff habitat along the river protects unique plant communities. An area of forest near the cliffs is being restored and managed as mesic forest. This preserve is ideal for hiking, sightseeing and wildlife viewing. The cliffs offer dramatic views of the Rock River. Acres: 167.2 Access Road: off of Kishwaukee Road Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: No Picnic Tables: No Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 1.8 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Donated Land: No Natural Areas: No Previous Next

< Back Pecatonica Wetlands 5750 Best Road, Pecatonica, IL 61063 Pecatonica Wetlands is made up of 1,048 acres of flood-plain forest, oxbow ponds, marshes and upland forest along the Pecatonica River. The site has outstanding spring flora and birdlife. Includes fishing access, hiking trails, picnic areas, a shelterhouse and wildlife areas. An excellent bird watching location! This preserve consists of two sections. The western section is the largest section and is low floodplain land, ox-bow ponds and wetlands. A winding trail provides an easy hike with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The eastern section, further north on Best Road, offers one of the most beautiful and popular picnic shelters in the county, as well as 100 acres of prairie and woods. Noteworthy birds and wildlife in the lower wetland area: Sandhill Cranes nest at the edges of some of the oxbow lakes and marshes. Tree Swallows and Red-headed Woodpeckers nest in the standing dead trees in the marshes throughout the preserve. The more heavily wooded marshes have nesting Prothonotary Warblers and Wood Ducks. A heron rookery is at the west end of an oxbow visible from Pecatonica Road near the preserve entrance and parking area. American White Pelicans use the oxbows during late summers and migration. Migration brings a wide variety of birds such as Scarlet Tanagers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Blue-headed Vireos, Northern Waterthrushes, five species of swallows and many other songbirds. Waterfowl stop off on migration and Bald Eagles hunt up and down the Pecatonica River. Acres: 1,048 Access Road: Yes Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: 1 Arrowhead: Stone shelter, 300 max. people, 16-12ft. tables, 192 seats, Electricity, No vehicle access, 2 grills. Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 6.5 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: No Donated Land: No Natural Areas: Yes All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next