Springbrook Prairie Trail
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.
Springbrook Prairie Trail
City, Town, or County
- Length
5.5 miles
- Elevation Gain
--
- Route Type
Loop
- Length
5.5 miles - Elevation Gain
-- - Route Type
Loop
Springbrook Prairie Trail is a 5.5-mile loop within the 1,840-acre Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville, which is in southwest DuPage County in Illinois.
Morning on the Prairie. Photo by Linda J Evans.
Prairie Sunrise. Photo by Linda J Evans.
Foggy Morning. Photo by Linda J Evans.
Summer Dawn. Photo by Linda J Evans.
Cycling the Trail. Photo by Audra Bonnet.
Pickerelweed. Photo by Audra Bonnet.
A stretch of the restored Spring Brook.
Part of the 1,840 acres of open space.
A late summer walk along the Springbrook Prairie.
Location: Unincorporated DuPage County near Naperville
- States: Illinois
- Counties: DuPage
- Cities/Townships: Naperville
Springbrook Prairie Trail is a 5.5-mile loop within the 1,840-acre Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville, which is in southwest DuPage County in Illinois. Walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding are all permitted, but some segments of the trail are closed seasonally to protect critical bird-nesting areas.
The trail links to other trails, adjacent neighborhoods, and Will County to the south. Within the preserve, it connects with picnic areas, two shelters, restrooms, a fenced 35-acre off-leash dog area, and a model-aircraft field. Visitors must call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 in advance to purchase permits for the off-leash area and model-aircraft field or to reserve the 50-person picnic shelter.
Springbrook Prairie Trail follows the perimeter of the forest preserve and serves as a model for providing access to recreational amenities near ecologically sensitive habitats. Springbrook Prairie contains one of three regionally significant grassland bird communities in the state and is home to species like meadowlarks, dickcissels, grasshopper sparrows, woodcocks, and bobolinks as well as state-endangered northern harriers, short-eared owls, and Henslow's sparrows. In addition, a restored stretch of the namesake Spring Brook features 2 miles of meandering stream with riparian wetlands. The project received the 2009 Chicago Wilderness "Conservation and Native Landscaping Award" and the 2009 American Society of Civil Engineers" Illinois Section"Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement of the Year Under $5 Million."
A committee consisting of local agencies and a citizen advisory group consulted with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and developed the plan for Springbrook Prairie Trail.
Accessibility Information
No text provided.
Allowed Uses:
Bicycling Dogs, on leash Equestrian Hiking/Walking Snow, cross-country skiing Snow, snowshoeingOther Activities
- Snow, snow play general
- Wildlife viewing / observation
Public Contact
Forest Preserve District of DuPage CountyPO Box 5000
Wheaton, IL 60189
[email protected] • (630) 933-7200
www.dupageforest.org
Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.
More Details
- Elevation (low): 654
- Elevation (high): 707
- Elevation (cumulative): --
- Part of a Trail System? No
- Surface (primary): Rock, crushed
- Surfaces (additional): Paved, Rock, crushed
- Tread Width (average): 120"
- Tread Width (minimum): --
- Running length (minimum): --
- Tread Grade (average, percent): 2
- Tread Grade (maximum): 10
- Running length (maximum): --
- Cross-slope (average, percent): --
- Cross-slope (maximum): --
- Running length (maximum): --
- Certified as an NRT
Jun 1, 2004