Permits to use Forest Preserve District of Will County picnic and camping sites in 2026 can be purchased starting Friday.
Sold on a first-come, first-served basis, permits can be obtained online at reconnectwithnature.org/get-a-permit or at one of five visitor centers: Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township and Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet.
Sugar Creek is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and hours for the other visitor centers are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Picnic permits
Picnic permits are available for more than 30 shelters located in forest preserves throughout Will County. They are required for groups of 25 or more and encouraged for smaller groups who want to ensure the use of a specific location.
They can be purchased online at reconnectwithnature.org/activities/picnicking or at one of the visitor centers. Permit costs range from $45 to $200 depending on the type of site desired, group size and if the permit holder is a county resident or a nonresident.
Camping permits
Tent camping is allowed at Forked Creek Preserve-Ballou Road Access in Wesley Township, Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township, Hammel Woods-DuPage River Access in Shorewood, McKinley Woods-Frederick’s Grove in Channahon and Messenger Woods Nature Preserve in Homer Township.
Visit reconnectwithnature.org/activities/camping to view campsites and learn more about each location. A permit must be obtained at least two business days prior to the reservation. Permits are $20 a night for county residents and $40 for nonresidents.
Additional permits
- Dog park permits have been on sale since Nov. 1 for the forest preserve district’s six dog parks, including Whalon Lake in Naperville. They can be purchased online at reconnectwithnature.org/activities/dog-exercising or at any of the visitor centers. The annual cost is $40 for county residents (with an additional $20 for each dog after the first) and $80 for nonresidents (with an additional $30 for each dog after the first). There are $10 discounts for seniors 65 and older and for veterans and active-duty military members.
- Photo and video permits are required for photos and video taken in the preserves by for-profit photographers.
- Large group permits are required for groups of 25 or more who gather in a preserve or at a visitor center. Groups who use a picnic shelter can obtain a picnic permit. If a picnic shelter isn’t needed for a gathering, a special use permit will be required to ensure there is space and parking available and that forest preserve district staff and police are aware of the event. To obtain a special use permit, email permits@fpdwc.org or call 815-727-8700.
For more information, go to www.reconnectwithnature.org.
