Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County owns and manages over 11,513 acres of forest preserves for citizens and visitors of Winnebago County.

FPWC is dedicated to protecting, conserving, enhancing and promoting Winnebago County's natural heritage for the environmental, educational and recreational benefit of present and future generations. The District partners with local environmental education organizations to provide an array of life long learning opportunities at forest preserve sites. Severson Dells, Klehm Arboretum and Sand Bluff

Bird Observatory offer unique opportunities for families, students, youth groups and individuals to gain intimate knowledge of the plants and animals of our native Illinois habitats. Three campgrounds, 28 shelterhouses, eight boat ramps, over 100 miles of hiking trails and six designated nature preserves are just some of the benefits offered at the District’s 44 sites. Over 1,500,000 people visit Winnebago County forest preserves each year for picnics, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, camping, concerts, field trips and special events. Call or visit our website for free maps and brochures to help you find and enjoy some of the most beautiful natural areas in the Midwest.

It’s been just over a month since we first announced our new photo point monitoring initiative and we have received so m...
06/09/2026

It’s been just over a month since we first announced our new photo point monitoring initiative and we have received so many excellent submissions—including a few unexpected surprises!

Thank you to everyone who has participated thus far in this citizen science program. Your photos provide our team invaluable visual data (and the occasional chuckle, too!)

Hooked on Fun Kids’ Fishing Derby with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County is Saturday, June 13 at Four Lakes Fore...
06/08/2026

Hooked on Fun Kids’ Fishing Derby with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County is Saturday, June 13 at Four Lakes Forest Preserve. This free drop-in event for ages 3-16 includes fishing help, raffle drawings, a big fish trophy, free bait, lunch while supplies last, and fun giveaways for the first kids to arrive.

🎣Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Fishing starts at 9 a.m.
📍Four Lakes Forest Preserve | 10207 Fish Hatchery Road | Pecatonica, IL 61063

Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens), Headquarters Forest Preserve ✳️
06/07/2026

Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens), Headquarters Forest Preserve ✳️

⏳ The countdown begins! We are officially just a week away from this year's Hooked on Fun Kid's Fishing Derby! 🎣Join us ...
06/06/2026

⏳ The countdown begins! We are officially just a week away from this year's Hooked on Fun Kid's Fishing Derby! 🎣

Join us next Saturday, June 13 at Four Lakes Forest Preserve for this fun free fishing event, complete with prizes, raffle giveaways, a grilled hotdog lunch cooked up by Sheriff Winnebago County, a live animal exhibit with Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and more!

👉 Learn more at www.winnebagoforest.org/hookedonfun.

🤝 In partnership with Muskies Inc. - Flatlanders Chapter.

🫂 Thank you to our sponsors: Plano Outdoors, Muskies Inc., Credit Union, Hugh C. Becker Foundation, Try-Beta Foundation, Loves Park Fraternal Order of Police, Carpenter's Place, and Rockford Park District.

📸: Judy Barnard

06/05/2026

Babies on the move! Mama mallard and her little ones were spotted toodling about at Headquarters Forest Preserve earlier this week. Mallard ducklings stay with their mother until they are able to fly, typically about two months after they've hatched. While these ducklings still have a little down left, they look well on their way to flying the nest!

06/04/2026

This video was made by Jen. Jen visited Oak Ridge Forest Preserve and enjoyed a beautiful day in nature. Be like Jen!

In all seriousness, Oak Ridge Forest Preserve is a gorgeous site with recreation opportunities ranging from hiking to paddling to horseback riding. Views of the Kishwaukee River and hundreds of acres of restored prairies and oak groves make this a must-visit preserve. And thank you to Jen Boeke of Fungus, Feathers, and Foliage for sharing this beautiful video!

📍 Oak Ridge Forest Preserve, 8322 Blomberg Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016

06/03/2026

🐍 Neonates loading! Two eastern fox snakes were spotted tangoing at Headquarters Forest Preserve earlier this week.

Courtship behaviors for fox snakes could be described as... intense? Males first prepare for breeding by wrestling with other males to establish dominance. Then, courtship officially begins with the male following the female's scent and chasing her down, sometimes for long periods of time. When the male reaches the female, he may bite her neck, as you can see in this video.

In about a month, the female will deposit between 8 and 27 eggs which will hatch around late August or early September.

Ferguson Forest Preserve in Shirland is teeming with life! Located at the confluence of the Sugar and Pecatonica Rivers,...
06/02/2026

Ferguson Forest Preserve in Shirland is teeming with life! Located at the confluence of the Sugar and Pecatonica Rivers, Ferguson boasts aquatic, prairie, and woodland habitats that are home to a vast variety of flora and fauna. This time of year, watch for migratory and summer resident birds, odonates, late spring blooms, nesting turtles, and more!

📍 Calvin & Sophia Ferguson Forest Preserve, 8602 West Winslow Road, Shirland, IL 61079
ℹ️ Prothonotary warbler, widow skimmer, white wild indigo, snapping turtle, monarch caterpillar
📸 Connie McIntosh

🌱 Join FPWC Volunteer Site Steward Kevin Triner in restoring one of our oldest forest preserves, Kilbuck Bluffs, this Sa...
06/01/2026

🌱 Join FPWC Volunteer Site Steward Kevin Triner in restoring one of our oldest forest preserves, Kilbuck Bluffs, this Saturday 6/6! The focus of this work day will be removing invasive honeysuckle from a project area, which is vital to improving biodiversity and encouraging the growth of native plants.

👉 Participants are asked to register at www.winnebagoforest.org/kilbuckbluffsrestoration. Please plan to wear long sleeve shirts, full-length pants, and sturdy shoes.

Address

5500 Northrock Drive
Rockford, IL
61103

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+18158776100

Website

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