Winnebago County Forest Preserve District celebrates over 80 years of providing open spaces and green places for recreation, education and preservation. The District’s first preserve, Hononegah, was purchased in 1924.
Today the Forest Preserve District maintains over 9,500 acres at 40 sites throughout the county. Nature preserves, golf courses, campgrounds, environmental education centers, botanic gardens, hiking trails and boat launches serve millions of Winnebago County residents and visitors each year.
©2010 WINNEBAGO COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is an exciting and popular winter pastime and is allowed in three of the forest preserves. Pecatonica Wetlands, Pecatonica River and Two Rivers are available for snowmobiling. Trails will be posted open when there are at least four inches of snow on the ground. Maps displayed at each preserve’s information structure indicate trails. Snowmobiling is not allowed at other forest preserves and is at the operator’s own risk.
SNOWMOBILING TRAILS & SAFETY TIPS
Snowmobiles are allowed on designated trails in these preserves:
Pecatonica River
Pecatonica Wetlands
Four Lakes
Sugar River
Two Rivers
Snowmobiles cannot be on the trails after 10 PM. Refer to our policy.
Winter recreation (cross-country skiers, snow shoe, skating, and sledding) are allowed in the preserves after dark, although some of the preserve gates will be locked. Many of the access roads allow room for skiers to park their cars off the roadway in front of the locked gates including: Kieselburg, Hononegah, Kishwaukee River (west), Seward Bluffs, Sugar River, Pecatonica River, Deer Run and Kishwaukee Gorge. Gates will be open at Oak Ridge and Blackhawk Springs (Perryville).
