20301 E 900 North Rd.
Westville, IL 61883
Telephone: 217-662-2142
Fax: 217-662-2146
Directions
to Forest Glen Preserve
Gannett Outdoor Education
Center
Founded in 1968, Forest Glen Preserve is 1800 acres in size. It is located seven miles
east of Westville on County Highway 5. It is rated number three b
otanically in Illinois
and consists of beech-maple and oak-hickory forest types. There are four registered
Illinois Nature Preserves within the park ( Duffin Woods, 200 acres; Forest Glen Seep, 11
acres; Howard's Hollow Seep, 30 acres), and Doris L. Westfall Prairie (40 acres). There is
also a twenty-two acre savanna restoration area.
Forest Glen Preserve serves as the headquarters for the Illinois Walnut Council (130 members). Information about this organization may be obtained by calling (217) 662-2142
Black Walnut in Tree Research
Area
Forest Glen General Information
Rental buildings for family reunions and picnics are available. Reservations for current calendar year begin with the first workday after January 1st. The rental buildings include:
- Edgewood Center (enclosed building)
- Maple Grove Lodge (enclosed building)
- Audubon Barn (enclosed building)
- Meadowlark Shelter (open shelter)
- Pine Knoll Shelter
(open shelter)
Fees are determined by group number. For reservations call: 217-662-2142
Back Pack Trail Information and Rules
Back Pack Trail Required Registration Form
Back Pack Trail MapDue to the increased popularity of River Ridge Back Pack Trail, we are now charging a fee, based on the number of people in your group, when you hike the RiverRidge Back
Pack Trail to help offset trail maintenance costs.
$10.00 - groups of less than 10 people
$1.00 each - groups of 10 or more people
You may pay through paypal or send a check in with your trail registration form.
PARK HOURS:
Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Labor Day to Standard Time: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fall Daylight Savings Time to early December: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Winter Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
First of March to Spring Daylight Savings Time: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
There is NO entrance fee to the park. Modern campgrounds are available. See Recreational Opportunities for more information. A current fee schedule and other general information may be received by calling 217-662-2142.
VCCD Library - Located at Staff Office Building at Forest Glen
Subject matter includes natural history, wildlife, forestry, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and much more
Contains over 1,000 volumes
HOURS - Monday-Friday; 8 am - 4:30 pm or by appointment
Books are loaned out for 2 weeks. Must be a resident of Vermilion County and present a valid driver's license. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
A 105 foot long
pedestrian covered bridge was
completed in 2002 thanks to the generosity of
the Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation.
Visitors flock to
Forest Glen each spring
in search of the elusive morel mushroom
The Vermilion River
forms the eastern
boundary of Forest Glen Preserve.