The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Blackwell Forest Preserve

Step back in time as you explore the historic farmsteads dating to the late 1800s at this site. A rare gabled-roofed farmhouse remains, one of the last of its style in DuPage County, along with a massive wood-planked German barn dating back to 1890, if not earlier. The worn fieldstone foundation of another vintage barn can still be spotted. In the 1920s, Chauncey and Marion McCormick acquired the property, pursuing their passion for horses by building colonial-style red brick stables with imported English iron posts. To support their award-winning herd of Guernsey cows, they constructed an innovative dairy barn with spacious stalls and various outbuildings that set the standard for Midwest farmers. Later, their son Brooks and wife Hope erected the indoor arena that hosted equestrian events and a therapeutic riding program. Today, this charming arena with idyllic river birch views can be rented out for small gatherings, letting you experience the rich agricultural history of this special place.

DuPage River Trail is a 30-mile trail that crosses DuPage and Will Counties. The trail is fully paved and this sections runs next to the West Branch of the DuPage River.

The path to the top of Mount Hoy has some elevation gain, but it is not too challenging. At the top, you get a great view of the surrounding area and the lakes below.

Silver Lake is part of the Blackwell Forest Preserver complex of small ponds. Silver Lake itself is noted as a good fishing lake, and it is in a serene, tranquil setting. Here, there are a series of steps going down to the lakeside from the trail, where there are some picnic benches. It makes for a nice place to take a look at this beautiful lake.

Step back in time as you explore the historic farmsteads dating to the late 1800s at this site. A rare gabled-roofed farmhouse remains, one of the last of its style in DuPage County, along with a massive wood-planked German barn dating back to 1890, if not earlier. The worn fieldstone foundation of another vintage barn can still be spotted. In the 1920s, Chauncey and Marion McCormick acquired the property, pursuing their passion for horses by building colonial-style red brick stables with imported English iron posts. To support their award-winning herd of Guernsey cows, they constructed an innovative dairy barn with spacious stalls and various outbuildings that set the standard for Midwest farmers. Later, their son Brooks and wife Hope erected the indoor arena that hosted equestrian events and a therapeutic riding program. Today, this charming arena with idyllic river birch views can be rented out for small gatherings, letting you experience the rich agricultural history of this special place.

The 1366-acre Blackwell Forest Preserve has over 6 miles of trails open to hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers. This park is open from one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset.

The trails in McDowell Grove Forest Preserve are mostly turf and crushed stone, and they are open to a bunch of different trail users all year long. There are a bunch of trails that intersect each other, so you can make routes and loops of different distances.

The trails in McDowell Grove Forest Preserve are mostly turf and crushed stone, and they are open to a bunch of different trail users all year long. There are a bunch of trails that intersect each other, so you can make routes and loops of different distances.