Closures & Alerts

Stay up to date with the latest on-site improvements, weather-related closures and other ongoing projects. View our Prescribed Burn Activity Map for real-time updates on active and recently completed burns.

For landscape maintenance inquiries, submit an online form or call a maintenance division office. For picnic shelter inquiries, call 800-870-3666, option 1, or email staff for more information.

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Locations

    Beaubien Woods Boat Launch

  • ALERT 07/18/2025 - ?: The Beaubien Woods Boat Launch and shoreline amenities are open to the public. This includes the newly installed accessible canoe and kayak launch, the main boat launch, a gathering area and parking facilities. Recent enhancements also include a new shelter, steps, fishing safety railings and a seating wall designed for river observation. Construction for a new indoor bathroom building is scheduled to begin in late summer, and a new trail connection to Altgeld Gardens is set to start in late fall.

    Beck Lake

  • ALERT 07/31/2017 - ?: Trail officially ends on either side of the railroad tracks, just north of Golf Rd. Please do not attempt to cross the railroad tracks on Des Plaines Trail System - Yellow Unpaved near Big Bend Lake and Beck Lake.

    Bemis Woods-North

  • ALERT 07/26/2024 - ?: Intermittent closures of the Salt Creek Trail System (Red Paved) under the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) bridge, spanning from Ogden Ave to 31st St, will continue into 2025 as part of the rebuilding and widening of I-294 by the Illinois Tollway. Periodic openings will be provided to allow passage between different construction phases. These closures are essential to ensure the safety of both construction workers and trail users. At this time, no designated alternative route is available. Please exercise caution when navigating this area, and for those using watercraft, paddle through with care. Salt Creek Trail System - Red Paved near Bemis Woods-North and Bemis Woods-South. More information >

    Bemis Woods-South

  • ALERT 07/26/2024 - ?: Intermittent closures of the Salt Creek Trail System (Red Paved) under the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) bridge, spanning from Ogden Ave to 31st St, will continue into 2025 as part of the rebuilding and widening of I-294 by the Illinois Tollway. Periodic openings will be provided to allow passage between different construction phases. These closures are essential to ensure the safety of both construction workers and trail users. At this time, no designated alternative route is available. Please exercise caution when navigating this area, and for those using watercraft, paddle through with care. Salt Creek Trail System - Red Paved near Bemis Woods-North and Bemis Woods-South. More information >

    Big Bend Lake

  • ALERT 07/31/2017 - ?: Trail officially ends on either side of the railroad tracks, just north of Golf Rd. Please do not attempt to cross the railroad tracks on Des Plaines Trail System - Yellow Unpaved near Big Bend Lake and Beck Lake.

    Busse Forest-Central

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Grove #4 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.
  • ALERT 07/14/2025 - 09/30/2025: Hazardous trees are being removed in this area along roadsides and preserve boundaries. Intermittent lane closures along adjacent roads will occur in order to execute the work.

    Busse Forest Elk Pasture

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.
  • ALERT 07/14/2025 - 09/30/2025: Hazardous trees are being removed in this area along roadsides and preserve boundaries. Intermittent lane closures along adjacent roads will occur in order to execute the work.

    Busse Forest Main Dam

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Groves #26 and #27 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.
  • ALERT 04/01/2025 - 04/30/2026: The Brown Paved Spur (East) at the intersection of E Higgins Road and S Arlington Heights Road is closed indefinitely. The trail is being removed as part of a project to install a pedestrian bridge over S Arlington Heights Road, which will create a new trail connection to the Red Paved Loop. Busse Forest Trails - Brown Paved Spur (East) near Busse Forest Main Dam.

    Busse Forest-North

  • ALERT 11/15/2022 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Groves #2 and #3 are closed for repairs.
  • ALERT 02/24/2023 - ?: Picnic Grove #3 is closed for construction.
  • ALERT 07/14/2025 - 09/30/2025: Hazardous trees are being removed in this area along roadsides and preserve boundaries. Intermittent lane closures along adjacent roads will occur in order to execute the work.

    Busse Forest-South

  • ALERT 07/14/2025 - 09/30/2025: Hazardous trees are being removed in this area along roadsides and preserve boundaries. Intermittent lane closures along adjacent roads will occur in order to execute the work.

    Busse Forest-West

  • ALERT 07/14/2025 - 09/30/2025: Hazardous trees are being removed in this area along roadsides and preserve boundaries. Intermittent lane closures along adjacent roads will occur in order to execute the work.
  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Grove #31 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.

    Busse Lake Beisner Road Access

  • ALERT 07/14/2025 - 09/30/2025: Hazardous trees are being removed in this area along roadsides and preserve boundaries. Intermittent lane closures along adjacent roads will occur in order to execute the work.

    Busse Lake Boating Center

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Busse Lake Boating Center, Groves #17 and #24 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.

    Caldwell Woods

  • ALERT 09/12/2024 - 08/18/2025: Parking Area may experience partial closures due to construction activity for site improvements.

    Cermak Family Aquatic Center

  • ALERT 07/21/2025 - ?: The lazy river is presently undergoing maintenance and, as a consequence, the aquatic center will be operating at limited capacity.

    Dan Ryan Woods-Central

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Groves #2, #4 and #10 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.

    Dan Ryan Woods-East

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Grove #9 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.

    Dan Ryan Woods-North

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Grove #16 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.

    Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Grove #9 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.

    General Headquarters & Permit Office

  • ALERT 07/10/2023 - ?: The Permit Office will remain open during construction activities at General Headquarters. However, we are unable to process cash transactions at this time. Accepted credit or debit cards only.

    Glenwood Woods-North

  • ALERT 03/06/2025 - ?: Intermittent construction activities near the Thorn Creek Trail System, north of Glenwood Woods, may affect trail conditions. Please proceed with caution. Thorn Creek Trail System - Red Paved near Glenwood Woods-North.

    Horizon Farm

  • ALERT 12/30/2022 - ?: Horizon Farm is now open to the public for activities like hiking, birdwatching, photography, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. The trails, now official, are available for pedestrian, biking and equestrian use. Some segments of the site will occasionally be closed for further trail improvements. More information >

    Maple Lake Boating Center

  • CLOSURE 07/10/2025 - ?: Higher than normal concentrations of algae have been discovered at Maple Lake. Do not interact with the water that shows algae bloom presence. Blue-green algae blooms occur naturally in most lakes and ponds and present little health risk at normal levels. However, the level of cyanobacteria in some blooms can cause negative health effects in humans and dogs through skin contact or ingestion. The Forest Preserves is currently working with public health agencies to assess any potential risks. Boat rentals are currently unavailable at Maple Lake due to the location of the blue-green algae blooms.

    Maple Lake-East - Mountain Bike Staging Area

  • ALERT 07/10/2025 - ?: Higher than normal concentrations of algae have been discovered at Maple Lake. Do not interact with the water that shows algae bloom presence. Blue-green algae blooms occur naturally in most lakes and ponds and present little health risk at normal levels. However, the level of cyanobacteria in some blooms can cause negative health effects in humans and dogs through skin contact or ingestion. The Forest Preserves is currently working with public health agencies to assess any potential risks. Boat rentals are currently unavailable at Maple Lake due to the location of the blue-green algae blooms.

    Maple Lake Overlook

  • ALERT 07/10/2025 - ?: Higher than normal concentrations of algae have been discovered at Maple Lake. Do not interact with the water that shows algae bloom presence. Blue-green algae blooms occur naturally in most lakes and ponds and present little health risk at normal levels. However, the level of cyanobacteria in some blooms can cause negative health effects in humans and dogs through skin contact or ingestion. The Forest Preserves is currently working with public health agencies to assess any potential risks. Boat rentals are currently unavailable at Maple Lake due to the location of the blue-green algae blooms.

    Ned Brown Meadow

  • ALERT 03/17/2025 - ?: Indoor bathrooms at Grove #28 are closed for repairs with an anticipated completion date of summer 2025.

    Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-West

  • ALERT 02/01/2024 - ?: Cook County is set to demolish outdated buildings on the Oak Forest Campus. During construction, the west entrance of the Forest Preserves’ Oak Forest Heritage Preserve will close. However, alternative access points through the east entrance and the Don Gorman Fieldhouse parking lot of the Oak Forest Park District will remain open, ensuring continuous accessibility to the Oak Forest Heritage Preserve. To access Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-East from the Oak Forest Campus, turn right onto IL-6/159th St, then make right turns at Pulaski Rd/Crawford Ave and Fieldcrest Dr. For the Don Gorman Fieldhouse at 4412 Henry St, turn left onto IL-6/159th St, then left onto IL-50 S/S Cicero Ave, and follow Fieldcrest Dr and Craig Dr to Henry St. Oak Forest Heritage Preserve Trails - Brown Paved Loop and Purple Paved Spur near Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-West. More information >

    Palos Park Woods-South

  • ALERT 05/08/2025 - 08/04/2025: Portions of the lot may be temporarily closed for construction staging.
  • ALERT 05/08/2025 - 08/04/2025: Vehicles may be present on trail for infrastructure repairs on the Blue Unpaved Spur (East), located east of Palos Park Woods South. Construction vehicles will access the area via the Palos Park Woods South lot, taking the Orange Unpaved Spur (East) and Yellow Unpaved Loop. Sag Valley Trail System - Orange Unpaved Spur (East), Blue Unpaved Spur (East), and Yellow Unpaved Loop near Palos Park Woods-South.

    Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve

  • ALERT 03/01/2018 - ?: Individual access is prohibited to protect this fragile site. Tours are scheduled spring through fall. Call 630-257-2045 for tour information.

    Swallow Cliff Woods-North

  • ALERT 10/05/2023 - ?: Protect the sensitive habitat of Swallow Cliff. Please stay on official trails. Boots and tires damage rare native wildflowers and cause erosion. More information >
  • ALERT 05/01/2025 - 11/30/2025: Routine landscape maintenance activities scheduled for Thursdays (weather permitting). Parking area may experience delayed openings (7 am) to ensure the safety of patrons and staff.
  • ALERT 07/08/2025 - 07/31/2025: Tree removals occurring near LaGrange Road. Vehicles and equipment may be entering from Swallow Cliff north to access underpass. Sag Valley Trail System - Yellow Unpaved Loop near McClaughrey Spring Woods and Swallow Cliff Woods-North.

Trails

    Busse Forest Trails

  • ALERT 08/21/2024 - ?: A trail segment south of E Higgins Road, leading eastward to the Busse Lake Boating Center from the west pedestrian bridge, may experience temporary closures due to ongoing trail construction activities. Busse Forest Trails - Red Paved Loop.
  • ALERT 04/01/2025 - 04/30/2026: The Brown Paved Spur (East) at the intersection of E Higgins Road and S Arlington Heights Road is closed indefinitely. The trail is being removed as part of a project to install a pedestrian bridge over S Arlington Heights Road, which will create a new trail connection to the Red Paved Loop. Busse Forest Trails - Brown Paved Spur (East) near Busse Forest Main Dam.

    Des Plaines River Trail System

  • ALERT 07/31/2017 - ?: Trail officially ends on either side of the railroad tracks, just north of Golf Rd. Please do not attempt to cross the railroad tracks on Des Plaines Trail System - Yellow Unpaved near Big Bend Lake and Beck Lake.
  • ALERT 03/12/2025 - ?: Construction is underway on sections of the Des Plaines River Trail, with repair and upgrade work taking place between Lawrence Ave and Irving Park Rd. To ensure safety during these improvements, trail users should expect intermittent closures and occasional full trail closures as necessary. Additionally, select parking areas and picnic groves at both Robinson Woods-South and Schiller Woods-West (Groves 1-4) will be closed throughout this period. Work is anticipated to continue through fall 2025. Des Plaines River Trail System - Yellow Unpaved near Schiller Woods-West. More information >

    Oak Forest Heritage Preserve Trails

  • ALERT 02/01/2024 - ?: Cook County is set to demolish outdated buildings on the Oak Forest Campus. During construction, the west entrance of the Forest Preserves’ Oak Forest Heritage Preserve will close. However, alternative access points through the east entrance and the Don Gorman Fieldhouse parking lot of the Oak Forest Park District will remain open, ensuring continuous accessibility to the Oak Forest Heritage Preserve. To access Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-East from the Oak Forest Campus, turn right onto IL-6/159th St, then make right turns at Pulaski Rd/Crawford Ave and Fieldcrest Dr. For the Don Gorman Fieldhouse at 4412 Henry St, turn left onto IL-6/159th St, then left onto IL-50 S/S Cicero Ave, and follow Fieldcrest Dr and Craig Dr to Henry St. Oak Forest Heritage Preserve Trails - Brown Paved Loop and Purple Paved Spur near Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-West. More information >

    Palos Trail System

  • ALERT 03/24/2025 - 08/04/2025: Vehicles may be present on trail for infrastructure repairs. Palos Trail System - Yellow Unpaved (East).

    Sag Valley Trail System

  • ALERT 07/08/2025 - 07/31/2025: Tree removals occurring near LaGrange Road. Vehicles and equipment may be entering from Swallow Cliff north to access underpass. Sag Valley Trail System - Yellow Unpaved Loop near McClaughrey Spring Woods and Swallow Cliff Woods-North.
  • ALERT 05/08/2025 - 08/04/2025: Vehicles may be present on trail for infrastructure repairs on the Blue Unpaved Spur (East), located east of Palos Park Woods South. Construction vehicles will access the area via the Palos Park Woods South lot, taking the Orange Unpaved Spur (East) and Yellow Unpaved Loop. Sag Valley Trail System - Orange Unpaved Spur (East), Blue Unpaved Spur (East), and Yellow Unpaved Loop near Palos Park Woods-South.

    Salt Creek Trail System

  • ALERT 07/26/2024 - ?: Intermittent closures of the Salt Creek Trail System (Red Paved) under the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) bridge, spanning from Ogden Ave to 31st St, will continue into 2025 as part of the rebuilding and widening of I-294 by the Illinois Tollway. Periodic openings will be provided to allow passage between different construction phases. These closures are essential to ensure the safety of both construction workers and trail users. At this time, no designated alternative route is available. Please exercise caution when navigating this area, and for those using watercraft, paddle through with care. Salt Creek Trail System - Red Paved near Bemis Woods-North and Bemis Woods-South. More information >
  • ALERT 05/19/2025 - 04/19/2026: The MWRD will be conducting intermittent construction activities near the North Branch Trail System at Jackson Ave and Brainard Ave to rehabilitate an existing sewer in the area. These activities may affect trail conditions. Please proceed with caution. Salt Creek Trail System - Brown Paved Spur.

    Thorn Creek Trail System

  • ALERT 03/06/2025 - ?: Intermittent construction activities near the Thorn Creek Trail System, north of Glenwood Woods, may affect trail conditions. Please proceed with caution. Thorn Creek Trail System - Red Paved near Glenwood Woods-North.