Danada Forest Preserve & Equestrian Center
Location
The entrance is located on the east side of Naperville Road one mile south of Butterfield Road (Route 56) and three-quarters of a mile north of Interstate-88.
Preserve Maps
- Danada Forest Preserve map (332 KB PDF)
- Danada Forest Preserve Trail map (221 KB PDF)
Danada Equestrian Center
The Danada Equestrian Center has provided educational and recreational equestrian experiences for DuPage County residents since its establishment in 1983. Programs offered by the center are designed to give participants a holistic approach to horses and their daily care and to teach basic riding skills. The center offers an array of equestrian programs from riding classes to horsemanship clinics. In addition, each year on the second Sunday in October, the center opens its barn doors to welcome thousands of visitors during the Danada Fall Festival.
Educational Programs
Danada's professional staff is assisted by volunteers who teach daily horse-care and feeding routines through lectures and demonstrations. Students receive hands-on experience in grooming, saddling and bridling and learn basic riding skills. A variety of programs is available, including Horsemanship I - V, seminars, group tours, horsemanship clinics, and five-day children's summer camps. A booklet with age requirements, schedules and fees can be obtained at the center or by calling (630) 668-6012.
Horse-Drawn Hayrides and Sleigh Rides
Educational horse-drawn hayrides and sleigh rides give visitors a chance to experience daytime forest activities or the night woods. Hayrides accommodate up to 30 people and are offered throughout the year for a small fee; sleighs hold 20 people and are used in January and February. The equestrian center requests that groups of 10 or more make private reservations, which are available for a fee and include a bonfire at the end of each ride. Call (630) 668-6012 for reservation and program information.
Danada House
The 19-room Danada House, the former estate house of Daniel and Ada Rice, is available for formal receptions, meetings, showers, parties and other catered functions. The dining room, library, living room, porch, solarium and kitchen offer accommodations for up to 150 people. A 6,900-square-foot annex comfortably seats up to 250 guests and features a bright, airy atmosphere with large windows that connect visitors to the beautiful surrounding landscape. Ample parking is available. More information is available on the Danada House website. For rental information, call the Friends of Danada, which manages the house, at (630) 668-5392.
Danada Model Farm
On the southwest corner of Naperville and Butterfield roads lies this 1950s-style farm. Operated by the Danada Model Farm volunteers, the farm preserves the agricultural history of DuPage County through 1950s farm machinery and agricultural practices. The volunteer group, formed under the auspices of the Friends of Danada, assists with District events at Danada by providing hayrides and tours of the farm. For more information, call the Danada House at (630) 668-5392.
Outdoor Recreation
Trails
Nearly three miles of multipurpose trails wind through the preserve's prairie, woodland, and marsh habitats and connect with Herrick Lake Forest Preserve's 6.5-mile trail system, providing a scenic excursion for hikers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians and cross-country skiers. When conditions permit, trails are groomed for classical and skate-style cross-country skiing. Horseback riders are asked to restrain their mounts when riding through woods or around sharp corners to avoid confronting less-visible trail users. Horse trailers may be parked in the main parking lot. Horseback riding is not allowed on the 0.9-mile Nature Trail.
Fishing
The 36-acre Rice Lake, located south of Butterfield Road and east of Naperville Road, was developed in conjunction with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority during construction of Interstate 355. The maximum depth is 22 feet, and depending on flood and drought conditions, the water level can fluctuate as much as six feet. Fisheries management of this valuable flood-control area includes stocking. Parking is available in the main parking lot.
Volunteering
Those interested in volunteering at the center should contact the District's Volunteer Services office at (630) 933-7681 or view the Volunteer Opportunities page for more information.
Danada Equestrian Center Fees
Horsemanship I and II Classes
Six two-hour lessons; six students per class
$255 for residents
$351 for non-residents
Intermediate/Advanced Riding Lessons
Available to Horsemanship II graduates or individuals who have successfully completed the Advanced Placement Exam. Six 1 hour lessons; six students per class
Group Lessons (6 students)
$158 for residents
$218 for non-residents
Group Trail Rides
Available to Horsemanship I graduates or individuals who have successfully completed the Placement Exam. Package of six 60-minute rides
$130 for residents
$220 for non-residents
Guided Group Tours
$35 per group of 20 for residents
$65 per group of 20 for non-residents
Group Horse-Drawn Hay Wagon/Sleigh Rides
$175 per 30-minute booking
$98 for each additional 30 minutes
There must be six inches of packed snow for sleigh rides.
Horse-Drawn Hay Wagon Rides
$5.00 per adult, $2.00 ages 5-12
Children under five years old are free.
Hay wagon rides are 30 minutes in length. Sleigh rides are 15 minutes in length. There must be six inches of packed snow for sleigh rides.
Preserve History
Danada is the former home of Daniel and Ada L. Rice, who purchased the property in 1929. In 1939, construction began on the 19-room mansion, greenhouse, storage sheds, employee boarding house, swimming pool, and formal gardens of peonies and roses. The 1,350-acre working farm was blanketed with an apple orchard, crops of wheat and corn, and livestock. It was the thoroughbred racehorses, though, that won the pride of the Rices.
In the mid-1940s, the Rices added the 26-stall Kentucky-style barn to their estate; this barn is located on the east side of the preserve. A half-mile oval racetrack was constructed west of Naperville Road.
In 1949, the Rices entered their first horse in the Kentucky Derby. But it wasn't until 1965 that another of their horses, Lucky Debonair, crossed the finish line with the third-fastest time in the history of the race. It was the third Derby win for jockey Willie Shoemaker. In 1966, another Danada horse, Advocator, took second place at the Kentucky Derby.
By the early 1970s, the Rices had sold their horse-racing interests. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County purchased over 700 acres of the property in 1980. Additional land was purchased in 1981, and today, the forest preserve encompasses 783 acres.
Natural History
The rolling terrain that greets the eye at Danada Forest Preserve was created nearly 10,000 years ago from the retreating ice glaciers. Today, the terrain's wetlands, woodlands and prairies are home to a host of native plants and animals.
A large wetland complex interspersed with a wooded savanna and fields is located in the area west of Naperville Road. Although the natural prairie is gone, a 35-acre region has been the target of intensive restoration efforts that have yielded a healthy, restored native prairie. This ecosystem complex attracts a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl, herons and grassland birds. The area also attracts deer, foxes and even coyotes as a suitable feeding and hunting ground.
Behind the main barn, in an area that is informally called Parson's Grove, lies a double-looped nature trail through an oak savanna. Many native wildflowers bloom in this area, including bloodroot, wild geranium and trout lily, thanks in part to volunteer restoration efforts.
Once a private estate owned by Daniel and Ada Rice, the preserve is now home to the esteemed Danada Equestrian Center.
The District's headquarters building, which was designed to blend in with the natural surroundings, is located within the Danada Forest Preserve on the west side of Naperville Road.
Accessibility
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Modern restrooms that can accommodate wheelchairs are located on the south side of the Danada House. The horse barn and the Danada House, including the annex, can also be easily accessed.
For special accessibility needs or concerns, please contact the District's ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days in advance of your visit.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857