Three Kane County forest preserves for fall hikes near the Tri-Cities

Three Kane County forest preserves sit right in the Tri-Cities: LeRoy Oakes in St. Charles, Fabyan in Geneva and Glenwood Park in Batavia. All three are free to visit, and late fall is a quiet time to walk them.

Forest Preserve District of Kane County preserves are open daily from sunrise to sunset. All three have parking lots.

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, St. Charles

LeRoy Oakes, at 37W700 Dean St., is the big one. The district lists almost 9 miles of trails here, with a mix of asphalt, limestone and mowed paths. It is also the starting point for the Great Western Trail.

The land changes a lot as you walk. There is high-quality prairie, oak woodland and flood plain forest, with Ferson Creek winding through. The district notes more than 130 feet of elevation difference between the high point in the middle of the preserve and the creek, so expect a few real hills.

Bring the kids inside to warm up at Creek Bend Nature Center. Admission is free. Exhibits include a look at Illinois' state tree, the white oak, and a wetland display that shows what lives under the Fox River. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

History fans can also spot the Durant House Museum, built in 1843, and the Pioneer Sholes School, a restored one-room schoolhouse. Both are managed by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley.

One heads-up: parts of LeRoy Oakes are shared with horseback riders, so keep dogs close and give horses room.

Fabyan Forest Preserve, Geneva

Fabyan sits along the Fox River just north of Fabyan Parkway, with entrances on Route 25 and Route 31. The posted address is 1925 S. Batavia Ave.

This is the easy, scenic option. Limestone and regional trails follow the river, and a bridge inside the preserve crosses it. The preserve has restrooms and ADA accessible trails.

The landmarks make it feel like more than a walk. The Fabyan Windmill, fully restored in 2003 and 2004, is one of the preserve's best-known sights. The Fabyan Villa, redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1907 for George and Nelle Fabyan, is now a museum. The Japanese Tea Garden is open to the public only from May through mid-October, so it is closed for the season now, but the rest of the preserve stays open.

Glenwood Park Forest Preserve, Batavia

Glenwood Park, at 1644 S. River St. on Route 25 south of Wilson Street, is small but worth the stop. The preserve sits just below an old broken dam that creates a run of rapids and riffles, with wooded islands downstream.

The district points out outcrops of dolomite bedrock along both banks and white and chinkapin oaks in the woods. Trails here are asphalt and mowed, and the preserve connects to the Illinois Prairie Path. It has a parking lot, restrooms and picnic shelters.

Before you go

• Dress in layers and wear shoes that can handle mud on mowed and limestone paths.
• Check the district website for any trail notices before heading out.
• For general questions, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County can be reached at 630-232-5980.
• Nature program questions go to the environmental education staff at 630-444-3190.