Busse Woods

Four family members on the edge of a lake at Busse Woods.

The 3,558-acre Ned Brown Preserve—popularly known as Busse Woods—is one of the largest and most diverse locations in the Forest Preserves. The site includes ancient upland forests, one of the largest fishing and boating waters in Cook County, nearly 13 miles of paved trail, an elk pasture and much more—making it one of the best-used natural areas in Illinois.

On this page:


Locations & Things to Do

Busse Woods includes multiple locations:


Busse Lake Boating Center

Entrance

E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Phone

224-415-6554

Picnic Groves

  • Grove #17
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 200 people
  • Grove #18
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 350 people
  • Grove #19
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Accessible Grove #20
    (with shelter)
    • Accessible May 1 to October 31.
    • Distance to parking: 275 ft
    • Distance to accessible portable bathroom: 240 ft
    • Capacity: 200 people
  • Grove #21
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #22
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #23
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #24
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 350 people
  • Grove #25
    • Capacity: 150 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Busse Lake Boating Center

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetBoat Rental: 9 am to SunsetBoat rentals operate from April to October (weather permitting), on a first-come, first-served basis. Service starts mid-April, Fridays through Mondays (expanding to daily in May). Call 224-415-6554 to confirm availability before visiting.

Closures & Alerts


Ned Brown Meadow

Entrance

Golf Rd, east of I-290/Hwy 53
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Picnic Groves

  • Grove #28
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 200 people
  • Grove #29
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 300 people
  • Grove #30
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 150 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Ned Brown Meadow

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Forest Elk Pasture

Entrance

N Arlington Heights Rd, north of E Higgins Rd
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Forest Main Dam

Entrance

S Arlington Heights Rd, south of Landmeier Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Picnic Groves

  • Grove #26
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 300 people
  • Grove #27
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 300 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Busse Forest Main Dam

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Forest-North

Entrance

E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, west of N Arlington Heights Rd
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Things to Do & Amenities

  1. Portable bathroom open May 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.

Picnic Groves

  • Grove #1
    • Capacity: 200 people
  • Grove #2
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 150 people
  • Grove #3
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 200 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Busse Forest-North

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Forest-South

Entrance

E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, west of N Arlington Heights Rd
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Things to Do & Amenities

  1. Indoor bathroom open April 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.
  2. Portable bathroom open May 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.

Picnic Groves

  • Accessible Grove #5
    (with shelter)
    • Accessible May 1 to October 31.
    • Distance to parking: 145 ft
    • Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 540 ft
    • Capacity: 300 people
  • Grove #6
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 200 people
  • Grove #7
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #8
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #9
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #10
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #11
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 250 people
  • Grove #12
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 200 people
  • Grove #13
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #14
    • Capacity: 100 people
  • Grove #15
    • Capacity: 150 people
  • Grove #16
    • Capacity: 100 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Busse Forest-South

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Forest-Central

Entrance

E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, west of N Arlington Heights Rd
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Things to Do & Amenities

  1. Indoor bathroom open April 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.

Picnic Groves

  • Grove #4
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 200 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Busse Forest-Central

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Forest-West

Entrance

E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Things to Do & Amenities

  1. Indoor bathroom open April 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.
  2. Portable bathroom open November 1 to April 30 depending on weather conditions.

Picnic Groves

  • Grove #31
    (with shelter)
    • Capacity: 200 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Busse Forest-West

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Lake Beisner Road Access

Entrance

Beisner Rd, north of Biesterfield Rd
Cook County, IL 60007
(near Elk Grove Village)

Picnic Groves

  • Accessible Grove #32
    (with shelter)
    • Accessible May 1 to October 31.
    • Distance to parking: 182 ft
    • Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 588 ft
    • Capacity: 300 people
Event Permits PageGrove PDF Map of Busse Lake Beisner Road Access

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Woodland Meadow

Entrance

Rohlwing Rd, north of Biesterfield Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Things to Do & Amenities

  1. Portable bathroom open May 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


Busse Forest Nature Preserve

Things to Do & Amenities

  1. Service dogs are allowed at most public locations. View accessibility policies.
Illinois Nature Preserve: This land is designated as one of the highest quality natural areas in the state by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. This status includes increased levels of legal protection and management. Learn more on the Illinois Nature Preserves Page.

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts


a person riding a bike on the paved trail at Busse Woods

Busse Woods Trails

Large paved loop circling Busse Reservoir with shorter trail segments fanning out from the loop.

Surface

Paved

Estimated Total Length

12.9 miles

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts

*Please be a courteous trail user: Follow posted signs and our trail rules and etiquette.

Trail Access

Access the Busse Forest Trails at any of these locations. Check out the trail maps listed above to find on-street or bikeway access points.


Busse Lake Boating Center
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
(near Elk Grove Village)
224-415-6554

Busse Forest Elk Pasture
N Arlington Heights Rd, north of E Higgins Rd
(near Elk Grove Village)

Ned Brown Meadow
(part of Busse Woods)
Golf Rd, east of I-290/Hwy 53
Cook County, IL 60007 (view web map of Ned Brown Meadow)
(near Elk Grove Village)

Busse Forest Main Dam
S Arlington Heights Rd, south of Landmeier Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Forest Main Dam)

Busse Forest-South
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, west of N Arlington Heights Rd
Cook County, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Forest-South)
(near Elk Grove Village)

Busse Forest-Central
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, west of N Arlington Heights Rd
Cook County, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Forest-Central)
(near Elk Grove Village)

Busse Forest-West
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
Cook County, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Forest-West)
(near Elk Grove Village)

Busse Lake Beisner Road Access
Beisner Rd, north of Biesterfield Rd
(near Elk Grove Village)

Woodland Meadow
(part of Busse Woods)
Rohlwing Rd, north of Biesterfield Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (view web map of Woodland Meadow)

Busse Lake Boating Center
Busse Lake Boating Center provides boat rentals, food, drinks and everything you need to go fishing.

Boat Rental at Busse Lake Boating Center

Boat rentals operate from April to October (weather permitting), on a first-come, first-served basis. Service starts mid-April, Fridays through Mondays (expanding to daily in May). Call 224-415-6554 to confirm availability before visiting.

Busse Lake Boating Center
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
(near Elk Grove Village)
224-415-6554

Busse Lake Rental Rates
Watercraft Rate
Row Boat (Includes Oars) $25/hr
Single Kayak $20/hr
Tandem Kayak $30/hr
Canoe $25/hr
Fishing Boat with Battery & Trolling Motor (2 hr minimum) $25/hr
Paddle Boat $20/hr

Discounts: Monday Discount: Reduced per-hour rates (except holidays). Paddle Card: Fifth visit FREE after four paid visits (restrictions apply).

Refreshments & fishing supplies: Food, beverages and fishing supplies (licenses, bait and equipment) may be available for purchase. Guided tours and lessons may be available during certain times. Call ahead to confirm availability and pricing.

Regulations: Must be 18 or older with a government-issued ID to fill out a rental waiver. No more than three adults per row boat or fishing boat. Minimum age and weight: 3 years, 35 lbs. Dogs are welcome at the owner’s risk and the operator’s discretion. A properly fitted life vest must be worn by every paddler for the duration of the rental period. No alcohol or glass bottles.


Boat Launches

Busse Lake Boating Center features two trailered boat launches for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with electric trolling motors.


Busse Lake Boating Center
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
(near Elk Grove Village)
224-415-6554

the Busse Woods accessible canoe landing with firm surface formed by interlocking pavers
The Busse Woods accessible canoe landing features a firm surface formed by interlocking pavers.

Accessible Canoe Landing

Busse Lake Boating Center features an accessible canoe landing for canoes and kayaks.


Busse Lake Boating Center
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
(near Elk Grove Village)
224-415-6554

Two people fishing at Busse Reservoir
Fishing is popular at the 457-acre Busse Reservoir.

Fishing at Busse Reservoir

At 457 acres, Busse Reservoir is one of the largest fishing and boating waters in Cook County. The chain of several connected pools was created in 1978 when natural waterways were dammed and the area was dug out.

Six fishing walls are available at portions of the over 20 miles of shoreline, including three accessible fishing areas. Ice fishing is allowed everywhere except the North Pool (north of Higgins Rd).


Fishing Access

Busse Lake Boating Center
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
(near Elk Grove Village)
224-415-6554

*Boat rentals, bait and other fishing supplies available. Features two trailered boat launches for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with electric trolling motors. It also features an accessible canoe landing for canoes and kayaks.


Busse Lake Beisner Road Access
Beisner Rd, north of Biesterfield Rd
(near Elk Grove Village)

*Features accessible fishing area.

  • Distance to accessible parking: 620 ft
  • Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 580 ft

Busse Forest Main Dam
S Arlington Heights Rd, south of Landmeier Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Forest Main Dam)

*Features accessible fishing area.

  • Distance to accessible parking: 410 ft
  • Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 580 ft

Busse Forest-South
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, west of N Arlington Heights Rd
Cook County, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Forest-South)
(near Elk Grove Village)

Busse Forest-West
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
Cook County, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Forest-West)
(near Elk Grove Village)

*Features accessible fishing area. No ice fishing allowed at this location.

  • Distance to accessible parking: 189 ft
  • Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 314 ft

Dutchman's breeches, a spring ephemeral, at Busse Woods.
Dutchman’s breeches, a spring ephemeral, at Busse Woods. Photo by Kris DaPra.

Nature at Busse

A wide variety of bird species live in or visit Busse Woods. Egrets, herons and terns can be spotted in trees and spits around the reservoir and Salt Creek, while grassland birds such as savannah and Henslow’s sparrows and bobolinks use the open meadows during the summer.

Busse Forest Nature Preserve is one of the richest and most diverse natural areas in the Cook County forest preserves. Flatwoods, slightly depressed areas with poorly draining soils, are a unique feature of this region. They support red maple, swamp white oak and black ash, as well as sensitive fern, hop sedge and blue flag iris.

Busse’s upland forest is an ancient remnant, full of tall red oaks and hickories, maple, ash, basswood, elm and very large ironwoods. Many of the trees here date back to before European settlement. The trees shelter wildflowers such as bloodroot, great white trillium and woodland phlox. In spring and fall, birders can spot attractive migrants such as black-throated blue warblers. The dense aquatic vegetation of Busse’s marshes supports shorebirds, mink and muskrat.

The 489-acre Busse Forest Nature Preserve’s unusual combination of flatwoods, upland forests, and marshes have earned it National Natural Landmark status.


two elk from the herd at Busse Woods
Two elk from the herd at Busse Woods.

Elk Pasture

Busse Forest Elk Pasture
N Arlington Heights Rd, north of E Higgins Rd
(near Elk Grove Village)

Since 1925, a small elk herd has inhabited a 17-acre enclosed pasture in Busse Woods. Originally, nine cows and one bull were delivered by train from Yellowstone National Park. The size of the herd has fluctuated over time and every three to four years new males are introduced to maintain genetic diversity.

Each year, a veterinary team from the University of Illinois, in conjunction with Forest Preserves wildlife staff, conducts health work-ups on the herd.


volunteers at Busse Woods
Volunteers at Busse Woods. Photo by Kris DaPra.

Volunteer Opportunities

Busse Woods is one of the richest and most diverse natural areas in the Forest Preserves. The Friends of Busse Woods volunteers have been working since 2008 to improve biodiversity and restore habitat. All year long, in all types of weather, this hearty and enthusiastic group meets twice monthly to give back to the environment and enjoy good company.