Wood Dale Grove

The 184-acre Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve in Wood Dale is located on the Tinley Moraine, a glacial deposit. Underlying the area is a layer of glacial till, sandy stone and gravel left behind by the Wisconsin Glacier over 10,000 years ago. Today, glacial remnants are found throughout DuPage County.

Wood Dale Grove is comprised of an upland forest, a natural wet prairie, ephemeral ponds, and wetlands, which are home to owls, deer, amphibians, and other forms of wildlife — some rare — as well as rare plants. It is a rest stop for many avian migrants, such as common loons, yellow-rumped warblers, and ruby-crowned kinglets, and a nesting area for hooded warblers, black-cuckoos, and blue-gray gnatcatchers. An upland savanna in the northern section of the forest preserve is home to native spring perennials like jack-in-the-pulpits, spring beauties, rue anemones, trout lilies and red trilliums.

Recreation

Picnicking

Picnickers can reserve Wood Dale Grove’s two 100-person shelters through Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 but must do so at least three business days before their visit. The south shelter includes a grill.

Ground fires are prohibited, but visitors may bring their own grills and use the on-site hot-coal disposal containers.

For everyone’s convenience, Wood Dale Grove offers restrooms with pit toilets. Water pumps are near the shelters and on the northern trail loop.

Trails

A 0.5-mile limestone trail encircles Grove Lake; a second 0.5-mile limestone trail curves through restored woodlands on the northern part of the preserve. Both trails offer scenic journeys for hikers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers.

Fishing

Grove Lake has a maximum depth of 28 feet and covers 9 acres. Two piers provide the perfect spot to drop a line. The lake is home to largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, rainbow trout and sunfish.

Anglers 16 and older who are not legally disabled must have valid Illinois sport fishing licenses in their possession. They must also carry Inland Trout Stamps in order to take trout from Forest Preserve District lakes. Anglers must follow all District and state regulations.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome at Wood Dale Grove but must be on leashes no greater than 10 feet in length.

 

Accessibility
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Individuals with accessibility needs or concerns should contact the District’s ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days before their visit.