Caldwell Woods, located on the northwest side of Chicago, features picnic groves, activity areas, a wellness shelter, sledding hill and access to the popular North Branch Trail. Although small in size, this preserve is big on diversity, with habitats ranging from flatwoods and floodplain forests to open savanna and oak woodlands.
On this page:
Location & Things to Do
Caldwell Woods
Entrance
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Accessible Indoor Bathroom
- Accessible Portable Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Dogs
(on-leash only) - Cross-Country Skiing
- Public Building
- Volunteer Opportunities
- No Alcohol (without permit)
- Sledding
Picnic Groves
- Grove #1
(with shelter)- Capacity: 150 people
- Grove #2
- Capacity: 150 people
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
Trails
North Branch Trail System
The North Branch Trail System offers paved and unpaved trails along approximately 20 miles of the North Branch of the Chicago River, making it a premier biking route in the northern suburbs.
Location: Chicago, Glenview, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Skokie & Winnetka
Surface
Paved & UnpavedEstimated Total Length
36.7 milesHours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
Volunteer Opportunities
This beautiful preserve is just one example of the rich diversity that once was the vast Illinois landscape. Its open savanna, oak woodland and river bluff ecosystems offer interesting views in all seasons. Join North Branch Restoration Project volunteers as they remove buckthorn and other weedy species, protecting these high-quality natural areas.