Parks and Forest Preserves In and Around Joliet

Two public agencies manage most of the green space around Joliet. The Joliet Park District runs city parks, Pilcher Park and Bird Haven Greenhouse. The Forest Preserve District of Will County manages larger natural areas and regional trails in Joliet and the surrounding suburbs. Here are the main sites, with hours and access points from each agency's website as of November 1, 2026.

Joliet Park District

The Joliet Park District was established by election on July 5, 1922. Its history page traces the park system to 1899, when the City of Joliet bought West Park and Highland Park, It says Robert Pilcher gave the district an additional 327 acres, land purchased from Harlow Higginbotham in 1920 that is now Pilcher Park.

Pilcher Park Nature Center

• Address: 2501 Highland Park Dr., Joliet
• Hours: daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed on holidays
• Phone: (815) 741-7277

The park district says Pilcher Park covers more than 640 acres, with hiking trails, bicycle trails, cross-country ski trails, playgrounds and picnic grounds. In winter the nature center rents cross-country skis during business hours, at $20 for two hours for adults and $10 for kids, with equipment provided by the Joliet Nordic Ski Club. The center also hosts school field trips and group rentals.

Bird Haven Greenhouse

• Address: 225 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet
• Hours: daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed on holidays
• Phone: (815) 741-7278

According to the park district, the greenhouse and conservatory, designed by the Lord and Burnham Company, sits on three acres within the 660-acre area made up of Pilcher Park and Higginbotham Woods. It has a tropical house, cacti room and show house, with seasonal floral shows in fall, winter and spring. The district notes it may close without notice when it's 90°F or hotter, when there is lightning within 10 miles, or in other bad weather. Posed or portrait photo sessions require a paid permit.

Forest Preserve District of Will County

All the preserves below share the district's main phone number, 815-727-8700.

Joliet Iron Works Historic Site (Joliet)

This 52-acre site along the Des Plaines River preserves remnants of a former iron manufacturing facility. It's on Columbia Street east of Route 53/Scott Street, open 8 a.m. to sunset every day except Christmas, and it connects to the I&M Canal Trail, according to the forest preserve district.

Lower Rock Run Preserve and the I&M Canal State Trail (Joliet)

The 430-acre Lower Rock Run Preserve has woods, prairie and water along Rock Run. Its I&M Canal Access is on Houbolt Road/Hollywood Road north of Route 6, and its McClintock Road Access is just northwest of Route 6 in Joliet. Trails here include the I&M Canal State Trail, the McClintock Road Nature Trail and the Rock Run Greenway Trail. Hours are sunrise to sunset.

Rock Run Greenway Trail (Crest Hill to Joliet)

The Rock Run Greenway Trail is a flat, paved trail running from Crest Hill south through Joliet, through woodland, prairie and wetland. Access points include Theodore Marsh (Gaylord Road, Crest Hill), Rock Run Preserve's Paul V. Nichols Access (Essington Road) and Black Road Access, Colvin Grove Preserve and the Joliet Junior College south lot on Houbolt Road, and Lower Rock Run's I&M Canal Access.

Hammel Woods and the DuPage River Trail (Shorewood)

Hammel Woods covers 454 acres of forest and wetland along the DuPage River. It has three access points: Crumby Recreation Area on Black Road east of Route 59, the DuPage River Access on Black Road west of I-55, and the Route 59 Access north of Route 52/Jefferson Street. Activities listed include biking, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing and a dog park. The southern segment of the DuPage River Trail can be reached from all three access points. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset.

Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve (Lockport Township)

Lockport Prairie protects 320 acres of dolomite prairie. It's on Division Street east of Route 53/Broadway Street, with street parking on Division Street, and is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day except Christmas.

Isle a la Cache (Romeoville)

The 107-acre Isle a la Cache preserve along the Des Plaines River includes forest, prairie and wetland, plus a museum and visitor center. It's on Romeo Road/135th Street east of Route 53. The preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset; the visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Monday and Tuesday (815-722-9301).

Lake Renwick Preserve (Plainfield)

Lake Renwick has four access points in Plainfield, including Copley Nature Park on Route 30. Its Heron Rookery Nature Preserve on Renwick Road is closed from March 1 to August 15 each year except for public programs.

Before you go

Check the forest preserve district's closures page for trail and preserve closures, and call the park district facilities to confirm holiday hours.