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 botanically 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 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 and type of event.
Policies on Use of Rental Buildings & Grounds
For reservations call: 217-662-2142
River Ridge Backpack Trail Rules
River Ridge Backpack Trail Registration Form – Please submit at least one week in advance River Ridge Backpack Trail map
Due 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. NO Refunds.
$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:
Daylight Savings Time – Mother’s Day: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Mother’s Day – Standard Time: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Standard Time – 1st Monday in December: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
1st Monday in December – Daylight Savings Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
There is NO entrance fee to the park.
Modern campgrounds are available. See Recreational Opportunities for more information.