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The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County invites people of all abilities to discover the benefits of recreation. If you need special accommodations in order to access a preserve or facility, please contact the ADA coordinator by calling FPWC Headquarters 815-877-6100, or e-mail fpwc@winnebagoforest.org. Accessibility Statement FPWC is Committed to Enabling All to Enjoy Forest Preserves! The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County invites people of all abilities to discover the benefits of recreation at our sites, facilities, and programs. If you need special accommodations in order to access a preserve or facility, please contact one of our two ADA Coordinators: Jody Kennay, jkennay@winnebagoforest.org Vaughn Stamm, vstamm@winnebagoforest.org Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities Employment In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities Modifications to Policies and Procedures The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County’s facilities, even where pets are generally prohibited. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County should contact the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County's Administrative Office (5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, IL 61103) at 815-877 6100 or fpwc@winnebagoforest.org as soon as possible but not later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. The ADA does not require the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to one of the District’s Accessibility Coordinators: Jody Kennay, jkennay@winnebagoforest.org Vaughn Stamm, vstamm@winnebagoforest.org Complaints may also be directed to 815-877-6100 or fpwc@winnebagoforest.org . The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy.

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County General Use Rules & Regulations Forest Preserves of Winnebago County General Use Regulations Policies Tree Preservation Policy Shelterhouse Policy Camping Policy.

< Back McKiski 3808 Genoa Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016 McKiski is a 32.7-acre parcel of land donated to the district under conditions that it not be developed. It is maintained as a natural area. No public access except by boat. Acres: 32.7 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): 0.8 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 Grove Creek 18319 W. State St., Pecatonica, IL 61063 The preserve access is not yet established. The district is seeking approval to connect with trails in Seward Bluffs under U.S. Hwy 20 from IDOT. If granted a trail connection the district intends to establish a parking area along Klinger road for this preserve. Acres: 80.5 Access Road: No Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No Picnic Tables: No Shelterhouse: No Playground equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No but with approval from IDOT will connect with Seward Bluff trails Hiking Trails(miles): No – Seeking permission for trail under U.S. Hwy 20 to connect with Seward Bluffs Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: No 18 Hole Golf Course: No Natural area: Yes adjacent to Wilson Prairie Nature Preserve 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

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County’s horseback trails were developed to afford horseback riders the opportunity to enjoy riding in the scenic beauty of the preserves. There are 28 miles of mowed trails for horseback riding, found in six of the County forest preserves. Horseback Riding Equestrian campgrounds and trails will close for the season on November 19, 2025. The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County’s horseback trails were developed to afford horseback riders the opportunity to enjoy riding in the scenic beauty of the preserves. There are 29.6 miles of mowed trails for horseback riding, found in six of the County Forest preserves: Roland Olson, Sugar River, Oak Ridge, Deer Run, Rockford Rotary, and Seward Bluffs. There is equestrian camping at $15 for residents and $20 for non-residents per night per unit at Oak Ridge and Seward Bluffs only. Users can utilize a self-registration system for camping and can acquire a daily riding pass. Seasonal bridle tags may be applied for at the site. Horse Riding Trails The horse trails in the forest preserves (Roland Olson, Deer Run, Oak Ridge, Rockford Rotary, Seward Bluffs, and Sugar River) are closed from mid-November to mid-April (Inclement weather and adverse trail conditions may force early closing dates in the Fall and late opening dates in the Spring), check the FPWC website for closing and opening dates. A Winnebago County Forest Preserve District tag is required on each horse when trails are open. Equestrian campgrounds and trails will close for the season on November 19, 2025. Roland Olson, Sugar River, Oak Ridge and Deer Run have trailer parking. Click here to purchase Seasonal tag(s) online. Seasonal Tag(s) will be mailed to you after purchase. Deer Run 594.8 acres of preserve are filled with 7.5 miles of horse trails that follow the south and north branch of the Kishwaukee River and many other unique natural features. Oak Ridge 7.5 miles of horse trails along the Kishwaukee River, connecting to trails in Deer Run. There is equestrian specific camping at Oak Ridge. Users can utilize a self-registration system for camping and can acquire a daily riding pass. Seasonal bridle tags may be applied for at the site. Rockford Rotary 1.7 miles of trail run throughout this 220.7-acre preserve. Heavily wooded and overlooking the Kishwaukee River, trail rules are critical here as the soil in this preserve is highly erodible. Equestrian access is provided near the preserve’s entrance off Rotary Road. Roland Olson What was once a polo complex, this preserve is a favorite spot for horseback riding. You will find 1.5 miles of trails with a variety of landscapes to explore in Olson's restored prairie, upland woods, and remnant pine plantation. Seward Bluffs The trails in this 636.6-acre preserve cover beautiful country which include spring wildflowers, woodlands and dolomite cliffs. The trails loop to the east and west crossing Grove Creek to provide 7.8 miles of trails. There is equestrian specific camping at Seward Bluffs. Users can utilize a self-registration system for camping and can acquire a daily riding pass. Seasonal bridle tags may be applied for at the site. Sugar River Travel to the northern part of the County to take in a double loop trail system in this 529-acre preserve. The 3.6 mile trail goes through oak woodlands, meadows and fields. Much of this preserve is sand prairie, which is a unique and fragile ecosystem that is highly erodible. Therefore, the equestrian trail hugs the east boundary of the preserve, avoiding these natural areas. Trail Fees Resident / Non-Resident Bridle tag seasonal each rider (mid-April to mid-November): $50.00 / $70.00 Bridle tag daily each rider: $10.00 / $15.00 Camping per night (Oak Ridge and Seward Bluffs only) per unit: $15.00 / $20.00 A credit card convenience fee of 3% will be applied to all transactions Click Here to Purchase Seasonal Tag! Trail Rules & Riding Tips Remember, these trails are shared with hikers, so stay alert and slow your horse to a walk when meeting oncoming users. Here are a few rules to follow to ensure everyone’s safety: Horses are allowed only on designated trails. Riders and horses must enter and leave trails at access points only. When meeting on trails, riders must slow their horses to a walk and keep to the right. Refrain from riding when ground conditions are wet or soft. Restrain on blind corners. During early November, avoid riding in cross-country skier’s track.

The Winnebago County Forest Preserve system offers many locations with enjoyable fishing. Most of the preserves are located along one of the county’s four beautiful rivers: the Sugar, Pecatonica, Kishwaukee and Rock Rivers offer scenic stream bank fishing as well as access areas for fishing boats. Fishing The Winnebago County Forest Preserve system offers many locations with enjoyable fishing. Most of the preserves are located along one of the county’s four beautiful rivers: the Sugar, Pecatonica, Kishwaukee and Rock Rivers offer scenic stream bank fishing as well as access areas for fishing boats. Four Lakes Forest Preserve, a former fishery site, offers comfortable and productive bank fishing and the area’s smaller streams add to the variety of fish available. Fishing in forest preserves requires a valid Illinois fishing license. Loaner Pole Program Check out Rod and Reels for up to 1 week at a time – FREE! Must provide name, address, telephone, and driver’s license number. Stop in at Forest Preserve Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30pm. Provided by Forest Preserves of Winnebago County in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Fishing Spots Four Lakes Four Lakes is 186-acres containing four small man-made lakes. This is the District’s most popular fishing area. Fish stocked include: bluegills, channel catfish, largemouth bass, walleye, brown bullheads, redear sunfish, northern pike. No minnows are allowed for bait use to prevent diseases and invasive fish species. Kilbuck Creek This small picturesque stream offers catfish at its mouth, and upstream, in the deeper slow pools, by logjams, and below the small dam west of the Highway 51 bridge. Smallmouth are more common upstream in the rocky pool riffle areas. Other game fish and carp can be taken infrequently. Redhorse, suckers, and a variety of minnows abound in Kilbuck Creek. Kishwaukee The large, deep pools especially at the river’s bends have yielded many three to five pound smallmouth bass. The rocky areas from the Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve to the mouth of the Kilbuck Creek offer excellent smallmouth habitat. An occasional northern or walleye may be caught as they travel the river extensively in search of minnow prey. Catfish are also very common through this stream and are especially abundant at the mouth. Pecatonica The “Pec” offers excellent fishing for channel catfish, carp and northern pike. Channel and flathead catfish are abundant in logjams everywhere. Northern pike spawn in the backwater areas near Meridian Road and are ever present in brush, logjams and at the mouth of many of the tributaries. Walleye, too, are surprisingly common for the apparent murky water. The greatest numbers are found in sand areas near the mouth and in flooded willows and smartweeds below the riffles from the Village of Pecatonica to Pecatonica River Forest Preserve. Smallmouth bass are common at the mouth over the rocky shorelines of the Rock River but absent elsewhere. Carp and buffalo are common in the backwaters where occasionally crappies and bluegills may be taken. Rock River The Rock offers a variety of fishing opportunities from the swift, shallow, rocky-sided channels below South Beloit to the larger, deep and sluggish pools above the two low dams in Winnebago County. Channel catfish is the most abundant game fish in the river. Carp are abundant in shallow mud-bottomed pools, especially in slack current, and near brushy areas. Bullheads, too, frequent these areas. Walleye are more common below the dams, especially in March and April as they congregate to spawn. Northern pike congregate in marshy areas in early spring to spawn. As spring turns into summer, northern pike move extensively and are often found in tributary streams, feeding on smaller fish. Crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass are found in backwater areas and above dams where the water is more still. Smallmouth bass are increasing in numbers and are found over rocky areas where there is a moderate current such as below the Fordham Dam at the Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve. Sugar River The name Sugar River is derived from the Indian word “ke-pot-ah” meaning “sweet water.” One might hypothesize this name is the result of the sand in the water rather than from its taste. Like the Pecatonica, the Sugar River valley is an ancient lakebed. However, the striking difference in water clarity is a result of the sandy basin through which the river drains. Sandbars and deep holes alternate to compliment the occasional sheer sand bluffs, which shape the river valley. The Sugar is an excellent stream for the fisherman who wants little of development and other people. The logjams and sand bottom provide excellent fish habitat. The channel catfish and smallmouth bass are the most common game fish. However, an occasional walleye or northern pike will be taken near tributary mouths and at the mouth where the Sugar joins the “Pec.” Carp can be taken in the slow muddy areas near road crossings. Occasionally, bluegills and crappies will be found in the side channels and backwaters where there is little water movement. Because public access is limited to two forest preserves and only two bridges, the Sugar is not the place for the canoeist demanding easy access and continuous comfort areas. When the water level is low, portages should be expected over sandbars and logjams. The most popular canoe trip requires launching at Avon, canoeing to Sugar River Forest Preserve, camping for the night and then canoeing to the mouth near Shirland. Canoes may also be launched at Colored Sands Forest Preserve or Yale Bridge Road. Users of the Sugar River may expect to find nature at its wildest. However, it is important to realize this may mean poison ivy antidotes and mosquito repellants which are a must in the summer.

< 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 Hinchliff Memorial 6770 Kishwaukee Road, Rockford, IL 61109 Acres: 2 Access Road: No Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No Picnic Tables: Yes Shelterhouses: No Playground Equipment: No Ball Fields: No Horseback Trails: No Hiking Trails(miles): 0.0 Campground Sites: No Boat Launch: No Canoe Launch: Yes 18 Hole Golf Course: No Illinois Nature Preserve: No Special Facilities: No Donated Land: Yes Natural Areas: No All reservations subject to the GENERAL USE ORDINANCE. Previous Next