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Locations & Things to Do
Robinson Woods-South
Entrance
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Accessible Portable Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Dogs
(on-leash only) - Cross-Country Skiing
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Portable bathroom open May 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.
Picnic Groves
- Grove #1
(with shelter)- Capacity: 200 people
- Grove #2
(with shelter)- Capacity: 100 people
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- CLOSURE 12/02/2024 - 03/31/2025: Closed for land management.
Robinson Homestead Family Picnic Area
Entrance
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- NO ISSUES 3/14/2025: Open during normal hours.
Trails
Des Plaines River Trail System
The unpaved Des Plaines River Trail follows its namesake river through more than a dozen forest preserves, allowing visitors to enjoy casual strolls, full-day adventures and anything in between.
Location: Chicago, Des Plaines, Glenview, Melrose Park, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, River Forest, Rosemont, Schiller Park & Wheeling
Surface
Paved & UnpavedEstimated Total Length
28.4 milesHours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- 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 >
Nature Notes
Robinson Woods is mostly wooded, with some scattered remnant prairies. Because of its location along the Des Plaines River, the preserve is a popular resting spot for migrating birds, notably spring warblers, who use the river as a corridor. The river adds interest to the topography, as high ground and bluffs open up to floodplains and dramatic views. In addition to migrating birds, beaver, turtles and mallards enjoy the many bends in the river.
In the remnant prairie patches, white wild indigo, nodding onion, goldenrods and blazing star lure monarchs and other butterflies. While these prairie patches are small, they harbor a wealth of native plants and insects and have notably expanded with habitat restoration work and prescribed burns.
Robinson Family Homestead
About half of 265-acre Robinson Woods once belonged to Alexander Robinson, the chief of several combined American Indian tribes in this area in the early 1800s.
The site includes the Robinson family homestead and burial grounds, signified by historical markers.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join a stewardship volunteer workday and help increase biodiversity at Robinson Woods.