Champaign County Forest Preserve District

Champaign County Forest Preserve District The Champaign County Forest Preserve District manages more than 4,000 acres in seven preserves
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Explore Nature with the Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Discover over 4,000 acres of scenic natural areas across seven preserves in Champaign County, Illinois. Since 1935, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District has protected local ecosystems and cultural heritage while offering year-round outdoor recreation—hiking, fishing, camping, paddling, biking, birding, and stargazing. Enjoy

accessible facilities including picnic shelters, event rentals, educational centers, and the award-winning Museum of the Grand Prairie. With a mission to inspire conservation and connection to nature, we host inclusive programs and events for all ages. Located throughout Champaign County—your next outdoor adventure awaits!

In observance of Juneteenth, the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Interpretive Center at Middle Fork River Forest Pre...
06/18/2026

In observance of Juneteenth, the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Interpretive Center at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve will be closed, Friday, June 19. We look forward to welcoming visitors back during our regular hours this weekend.

Although the Museum and Interpretive Center will be closed, the forest preserves will remain open. We invite you to get outside, explore the trails, and enjoy the preserves.

What happens when invasive plants are removed? More space for native species to grow.Thank you to the staff from the U o...
06/18/2026

What happens when invasive plants are removed? More space for native species to grow.

Thank you to the staff from the U of I Community Credit Union for helping remove several large invasive shrubs at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. These photos, shared by volunteer Walt Hurley, feature purple rocket, smooth petunia, blue-eyed grass, and a common garter snake.

These are all fairly common sights in our preserves, but they’re easy to overlook—next time you’re out, slow down and see what you might discover!

Unwind at the end of the day with Sunset Yoga at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.Join instructor Niki Smith on the pen...
06/18/2026

Unwind at the end of the day with Sunset Yoga at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.

Join instructor Niki Smith on the peninsula for a series of outdoor classes that combine mindful movement, gentle stretching, breathwork, and the calming presence of nature. Whether you're brand new to yoga or have years of experience, these classes offer a welcoming space to move, breathe, and relax as the sun begins to set.

🧘 June 25 – Gentle Flow Yoga
🧘 July 30 – Beginner Vinyasa Flow
🧘 August 27 – Yoga + Pilates Flow

Free • No registration required
Please bring your own mat.

📍 Peninsula, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
101 N. Lake of the Woods Rd., Mahomet

For more information: (217) 586-2612 or [email protected]

Out of concern for public safety, all Champaign County Forest Preserves and facilities including the Museum of the Grand...
06/17/2026

Out of concern for public safety, all Champaign County Forest Preserves and facilities including the Museum of the Grand Prairie, and Lake of the Woods Golf Course will be closing at 12 PM (noon) today due to forecasted severe storms in the area.

We strongly encourage all visitors to plan accordingly, exit preserves before the closure time, and seek safe shelter. Please stay weather-aware throughout the day.

Your safety is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Growing Up in the Preserves: Wetland Wonders was a great time! Thanks to all the families who attended and played along ...
06/15/2026

Growing Up in the Preserves: Wetland Wonders was a great time! Thanks to all the families who attended and played along as we pretended to be dragonflies, looked at a real juvenile salamander, and sang Over in the Wetland. Dragonfly expert Doug Mills even gave us a close-up view of all the stages of a dragonfly's life cycle. Growing Up in the Preserves is totally free and happens every second Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11 AM at the Natural Playscape at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. Preschoolers and their whole families are welcome!

Happy Nature Photography Day! 📸The Champaign County Forest Preserves are full of moments worth capturing, from wildlife ...
06/15/2026

Happy Nature Photography Day! 📸
The Champaign County Forest Preserves are full of moments worth capturing, from wildlife encounters and changing seasons to favorite trails and amazing views.
These photos, featured in our 2026 calendar, were taken by talented photographers who found inspiration in the forest preserves.
Now we'd love to see what you've captured! Share your favorite forest preserve photos in the comments and tell us where you took them.

The signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago gave birth to a nation illuminated very differently than it...
06/15/2026

The signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago gave birth to a nation illuminated very differently than it is today. The 18th century lighting devices in the museum’s Redhed collection bear witness to the differences.

Shown here is a Phoebe lamp with its characteristic stacked pans. The circular bowl of the upper pan held liquid or semi-liquid fuel, like used cooking oil or grease. A twisted wick protruded from the narrow trough and extended into the fuel. The lower pan caught fuel dripping from the wick to help minimize mess and reuse the fuel. When lit, the Phoebe lamp was often smelly, smoky, and messy. Its light was hard to direct, and very poor by today’s standards.

To learn more about Phoebe lamps and many other 18th century lighting devices, stay tuned for “Lighting A New Nation,” an online exhibit going live on July 1, 2026, to help commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States.

Address

109 S Lake Of The Woods Road
Mahomet, IL
61853

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(217) 586-3360

Website

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