Fall Colors on Display in DuPage Forest Preserves

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County invites fall fans to get out and experience the season’s short-lived color displays in the woods and prairies of DuPage County’s forest preserves. 

There are countless ways to experience the changes in our landscape, from bright colors appearing briefly in the woodlands to rustling sounds of wind through the prairie grasses. While nature’s annual spectacle is on display at each one of the over 60 forest preserves in DuPage County, read on for a few fall favorites that offer beautiful views year after year.

The woods at Maple Grove Forest Preserve in Downers Grove are known for intense colors. The preserve is composed mostly of black, silver and sugar maples, which develop into golden tones that seem to shine from every leaf in the forest. A winding 1.1-mile trail offers a pleasant stroll and also passes through an oak savanna.

At Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton, the 0.7-mile trail around the lake is perfect for a leisurely weekend walk or some brisk lunch-hour exercise. The water’s placid surface mirrors the brilliance of the many majestic oaks and maples on the water’s edge. For a longer fall hike, additional trails traverse woodlands and wetlands. 

Trees don’t offer the only show in town; DuPage County’s prairies feature late-blooming flowers like asters in cream, cornflower blue and purple. Grasses transform the open vistas with striking shades of orange, red, yellow and even blue. West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago is home to one of the area’s most diverse prairies and features several interconnected footpaths.

St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville offers historic charm amidst lovely fall scenery. There, tree-lined paths called “allees” of mature pin oaks, red maples and black walnuts beckon visitors to stroll down the lanes to barns, stables and courtyards. On Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 27, visitors can join tractor-drawn quail-wagon tours to learn the history of the estate and take in the gorgeous views. Tours take place 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and are $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 per senior over 55; $2 per child ages 5 – 12; and free for children under 5.

For even further explorations, forest preserves such as McDowell Grove and Greene Valley in Naperville, Meacham Grove in Bloomingdale, West DuPage Woods in West Chicago, Waterfall Glen in Darien and Churchill Woods in Glen Ellyn are perennial favorites.

Each of the locations described is open daily from one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. Admission and parking are free at all forest preserves. For information on these and other forest preserves or to request a free trails guide, call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.