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
Cook County, IL 60480 (view web map of Buffalo Woods-Central)
(near Willow Springs)
Busse Lake Boating Center
E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53
Cook County, IL 60007 (view web map of Busse Lake Boating Center)
(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
Cook County, IL 60480 (view web map of Hidden Pond Woods-West)
(near Willow Springs)