Blackwell Forest Preserve Maps - Trail Guide

About The Preserves

Blackwell Forest Preserve and the adjacent Pratts Wayne Woods comprise over 1,500 acres of protected natural areas in DuPage County, Illinois. These connected preserves offer some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in the Chicago metropolitan area, featuring extensive multi-use trail systems perfect for biking, hiking, and nature observation.

Blackwell Forest Preserve

1,311 acres • Warrenville, IL

Home to McKee Marsh, Silver Lake, and miles of paved and unpaved trails. Popular for fishing, camping, and winter sports including cross-country skiing.

Pratts Wayne Woods

3,400 acres • Wayne, IL

One of the largest forest preserves in DuPage County, featuring vast prairies, dense woodlands, and the scenic Des Plaines River Trail connection.

Trail Activities

Biking

Paved multi-use paths and challenging off-road trails

Hiking

Natural surface trails through woods and prairies

Birdwatching

200+ species recorded in diverse habitats

Fishing

Silver Lake and McKee Marsh access points

Trail Statistics

8+ mi Paved trails at Blackwell

12+ mi Natural surface trails

1,500+ Combined acres

Free Admission year-round

Why Use Offline Maps?

While these forest preserves are close to the Chicago suburbs, cell signal can be spotty in wooded areas. Using an offline map app ensures you can:

Navigate trail intersections – Multiple trails cross through the preserves, making it easy to lose your way
Find parking areas and trailheads – Multiple access points with different amenities
Track your ride or hike – Record your route, distance, and time for fitness tracking
Locate facilities – Find restrooms, water fountains, and picnic areas

Getting There

Blackwell Forest Preserve: Main entrance at Butterfield Road (Route 56) west of Winfield Road in Warrenville. Multiple parking lots available including access to Silver Lake and the campground.

Pratts Wayne Woods: Access from Powis Road north of Army Trail Road in Wayne. Additional entrances available from Norton Creek Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path connection.

Start Exploring

You can find detailed offline maps for these preserves on major platforms like AllTrails and Gaia GPS.