Ice Skating

Ice skating is permitted on a “skate at your own risk” basis at six lakes and ponds. Ice skating is prohibited on all other lakes.

The Forest Preserves does not monitor ice thickness, but recommends a minimum of four inches of solid ice over the entire lake for safety.


Barrington Road Pond
(part of Arthur L. Janura Preserve)
S Barrington Rd, south of W Higgins Rd
Hoffman Estates, IL 60194 (view web map of Barrington Road Pond)

Buffalo Woods-Central
S Kean Ave, north of W 87th St
(near Willow Springs)

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

North Pool only.


Crawdad Slough
Flavin Rd/Willow Springs Rd/104th Ave, south of 95th St
Cook County, IL 60480 (view web map of Crawdad Slough)
(near Willow Springs)

Deer Grove
N Quentin Rd, north of W Dundee Rd
Cook County, IL 60074 (view web map of Deer Grove)
(near Palatine)

Hidden Pond Woods-West
96th Ave, north of W 95th St
(near Willow Springs)