Your Forest Preserves

Heron Creek

Heron Creek Forest Preserve protects valuable natural resources and preserves sensitive wetlands in a country-like setting near Long Grove. The preserve features a rolling landscape of scenic woodlands and wide open fields. The Indian Creek basin, which flows through the site, is an Advanced Identification Wetland (ADID), the highest wetland classification in Lake County. It offers exceptional wildlife habitat and plant communities including a sedge meadow.

Visitors can explore 2.3 miles of gravel trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. Heron Creek offers two picnic shelters, each with a drinking fountain, two toilet facilities, interpretive signage and parking areas.

An innovative playground provides a colorful series of tunnels, slides, ladders, bridges, decks and swings for children to climb and explore. The playground has two separate areas, one for children ages 2 to 5, and one for children ages 5 to 12. Much of the playground is ramped for handicapped accessibility. There is also a sand pit for children to dig in and create sculptures, and lookout stations with views into the woods.

Heron Creek Forest Preserve is in Ela Township, located on the southwest corner of Route 22 and Old McHenry Road. The site is directly adjacent to the Reed Turner Nature Preserve, which is owned by the Long Grove Park District.

The entrance to the preserve is on Old McHenry Road, south of Route 22.

More than 116 species of birds appear here, including a resident population of waterfowl and herons. Six state endangered bird species, black tern, black-crowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron, osprey, Forster’s tern, and three state threatened bird species, brown creeper, pied-billed grebe and red-shouldered hawk have been found in the area.