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05/15/2008







Forest Preserve Activities
Picnicking

Thousands of people picnic at Will County forest preserves every year. Many preserves offer reservable picnic shelters or groves, available to enjoy a company, family, or social get together.

Picnic permits, are required for groups of 25 or more. In addition to the picnic shelter, all sites include restrooms, grills, picnic tables, and drinking water. Most are located next to trails and open play areas.

Picnic permits must be made in person in any Forest Preserve visitor facilities: the District Office (Joliet), Isle a la Cache Museum (Romeoville), Monee Reservoir (Monee), and Plum Creek Nature Center (Beecher).

One can either rent a grove or shelter. A grove includes a cluster of picnic tables in a beautiful, shaded setting, while a shelter provides protection from the elements.

Reservation fees are as follows:

Grove: Will County resident $35.00; non-resident $70.00
Pavilion: Will County resident $50.00; non-resident $100.00

Call 815/727-8700 to make a reservation.


 Preserve 
 Shelter / Grove 
 Capacity (people) 
 Forsythe Woods (Wilmington) 
   
   
 Forked Creek 
 S 
 125 
 Goodenow Grove (Beecher) 
   
   
 Plum Creek 
 S 
 75 
 Nodding Oaks 
 G 
 25 
 Meadow Lark 
 S 
 150 
 Thorn Apple 
 G 
 50 
 Hammel Woods (Shorewood) 
   
   
 Hidden Shelter 
 S 
 100 
 Crumby Recreation 
 S 
 150 
 Shorewood Grove 
 S 
 150 
 Grinton Grove 
 G 
 25 
 Hickory Creek Preserve (Mokena/New Lenox) 
   
   
 Shagbark Grove 
 S 
 150 
 Hickory Hollow 
 S 
 50 
 Hickory Creek Junction 
 S 
 150 
 Hickory Creek Barrens 
 S 
 75 
 Lambs Woods (Lockport) 
   
   
 Lambs Woods Shelter 
 S 
 50 
 Laughton Preserve (Wilton Center) 
   
   
 Gerdes Grove 
 S 
 25 
 McKinley Woods (Channahon) 
   
   
 Fredericks Grove 
 S 
 50 
 Riverbend Lookout 
 S 
 50 
 Messenger Woods (Homer Township) 
   
   
 Oak Knoll 
 S 
 100 
 Hawthorn 
 S 
 125 
 Monee Reservoir (Monee) 
   
   
 Catfish Corner 
 S 
 75 
 Bluegill Hill 
 S 
 200 
 Monee Grove 
 G 
 100 
 Rock Run Greenway (Joliet) 
   
   
 Black Road Access 
 S 
 25 
 I & M Access 
 S 
 75 
 Theodore Marsh 
 S 
 75 
 Runyon Preserve (Lockport) 
   
   
 Runyon Shelter 
 S 
 50 
 Veterans Woods (Bolingbrook) 
   
   
 Roy F. Hassert 
 S 
 100 
 Traders Corner 
 S 
 100 
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