Winter Activities

Winter can be an amazing time to visit the Kane County forest preserves! You can enjoy various forms of recreation, from hikes to cross-country skiing to ice fishing. See the Forest Preserve District of Kane County's Use Ordinance and the District's Winter Activities brochure, for more information. We encourage you to be safe and to follow all rules and regulations. Be aware that all winter activities are at your own risk.

Hours of Operation

Sunrise to sunset

Snow Minimum

There must be a minimum of 4" of snow and the ground must be frozen for snowmobiling or sledding.

Snowshoeing & Cross County Skiing

Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are allowed at all Kane County forest preserves, however, the activities are not permitted in areas closed due to restoration work. Please stay on trails.

Please note: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County does not groom trails.

Snowmobiles

All state and local regulations pertaining to the operation of snowmobiles apply. There must be a minimum of 4 inches of snow and the ground must be frozen for snowmobiling to be permitted.

Snowmobiling is allowed on trails marked specifically for this purpose at the following:

• Campton Forest Preserve (on internal, marked trails only)
• Great Western Trail (west of Wasco, only)
• Hampshire Forest Preserve (on internal trails only)

Snowmobiling is allowed for transit only at the following:

• Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve (transit through preserve only on marked trail)
• Glenwood Park Forest Preserve (on the Batavia Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path)
• Rutland Forest Preserve (parking only)
• Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve (transit through preserve only on marked trail)

Snowmobiling hours for preserves and trails with the exception of the Great Western Trail, west of Wasco, are sunrise to sunset. Snowmobiling on the Great Western Trail (west of Wasco, only) is permitted from sunrise to 11 p.m.

The snowmobiling speed limit in all preserves and trails is 15 mph with the exception of the Great Western Trail, west of Wasco, which is 35 mph.

Riders must stay on trails as marked. Snowmobiling is not permitted in areas closed due to restoration work

Snowmobile Safety Tips

Volunteer Snowmobile Patrols

Trails are patrolled by the Forest Preserve District Public Safety Department, the all-volunteer Kane County Mounted Rangers, and volunteer snowmobile patrols. For more information on volunteering with the District, call Volunteer Coordinator Robb Cleave at (630) 762-2741.

Sledding

When there is a minimum of four inches of snow, sledding is permitted at the following forest preserves:

• Campton Forest Preserve (Campton Hills)
• Fabyan Forest Preserve (Geneva)
• Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve (Elburn)
• Oakhurst Forest Preserve (Aurora)

Sledding Rules:

• Sledding Hours: Weather permitting, Fabyan Forest Preserve is open until 9 p.m. for sledding on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Regular hours (sunrise to sunset) apply for all other permitted preserves.
• Danger - Use sled hills at your own risk. Users assume full responsibility for determining if the conditions are safe for sledding.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for children. NO supervision is provided.
• Use caution when sledding and be considerate of others.
• Sledding is permitted only in designated areas and on the side of hills designated for sledding.
• Sledding is a hazardous activity and presents substantial risk.

For more information, please call (630) 232-5980.

---

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is only permitted in four areas: Hampshire South Forest Preserve in Hampshire, Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora, Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin, and Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve in Elburn.

Ice Skating

Outdoor ice skating is permitted only at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora. Please follow posted signs. Indoor ice skating is available at the independently managed Fox Valley Ice Arena.