Bemis Woods offers a wide range of activities such as birding, hiking and biking, and plenty of open space and groves for picnics. Amenities at this 480-acre site include paved and unpaved trails, a canoe launch and the exhilarating Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course.
On this page:
- Locations & Things to Do
- Trails
- Zipline & Adventure Park
- Canoe Landing
- Nature Notes
- Volunteer Opportunities
Locations & Things to Do
Bemis Woods-North
Entrance
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Portable Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Dogs
(on-leash only) - Cross-Country Skiing
- Canoe Landing
- Birding Hotspot
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Portable bathroom open May 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.
Picnic Groves
- Grove #1
(with shelter)- Capacity: 150 people
- Grove #2
- Capacity: 200 people
- Grove #3
- Capacity: 200 people
- Grove #4
(with shelter)- Capacity: 300 people
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- 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
Entrance
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Indoor Bathroom
- Accessible Portable Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Dogs
(on-leash only) - Cross-Country Skiing
- Birding Hotspot
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Zip Line / Treetop Adventure
Picnic Groves
- Grove #5
(with shelter)- Capacity: 350 people
- Accessible Grove #6
(with shelter)- Accessible May 1 to October 31.
- Distance to parking: 85 ft
- Distance to accessible portable bathroom: 80 ft
- Capacity: 100 people
- Accessible Grove #7
(with shelter)- Accessible May 1 to October 31.
- Distance to parking: 185 ft
- Distance to accessible portable bathroom: 165 ft
- Capacity: 300 people
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetTreetop Adventure Hours: Contact Go Ape at 800-971-8271Closures & Alerts
- 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 >
Trails
Salt Creek Trail System
The Salt Creek Trail System’s paved and unpaved trails run along the Des Plaines River, Salt Creek and Brookfield Zoo, offering visitors views of a glacial valley, gravelly moraine and Salt Creek’s unique pool and riffle environment.
Location: Brookfield, Forest View, La Grange Park, Lyons, McCook, North Riverside, Oak Brook, Riverside, Westchester & Western Springs
Surface
Paved & UnpavedEstimated Total Length
16.4 milesHours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- 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.
Zipline & Adventure Park
Experience the Forest Preserves from new heights at the Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park.
- Treetop Adventure Course:
- 5 zip lines for a total of 2,837 feet of exhilaration
- A “double Tarzan swing” that allows 2 participants to simultaneously swing from 30 feet and safely land in a cargo net
- A series of rope ladders and bridges, spider’s webs and trapezes
- 40 obstacles situated 40+ feet up in the forest canopy
- Journey Course with 18 obstacles and two zip lines
- Axe Throwing Range
Canoe Landing
A carry-in canoe landing provides access to Salt Creek.
Nature Notes
Both Bemis Woods North and South are considered excellent birding locations because of the creek habitat. A large variety of migrant songbirds, as well as cuckoos, indigo buntings and veeries, use this 400-acre wooded area along Salt Creek.
Many woodpeckers have been spotted in the area, including red-headed, red-bellied, downy, hairy and pileated varieties. Best bird viewing is usually during migration from early April to early June and mid-August to late October. Ducks and deer are also visible along the creek shores behind the wild blackberry.
Volunteer Opportunities
Come and explore the natural communities of Bemis Woods, which include remnant oak woodlands on a terrace above the floodplain forest lining Salt Creek. Help dedicated volunteers cut brush, pull weeds or collect seeds depending on season and weather. All levels of experience welcome.