Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
- Nature & parks
- In Darien, Illinois
- 0.4 mi from Route 66
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve covers about 2,492 acres in Darien, IL, stretching between Darien and Lemont less than a mile off the old Route 66 corridor. Sawmill Creek drops over several small waterfalls on its way to the Des Plaines River, and prairies, bogs and oak savannas shelter hundreds of plant and animal species. It is a restful break for road trippers who want a long walk before or after the Chicago traffic.
What is Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve?
The preserve lies in Downers Grove Township in DuPage County and forms a full ring around Argonne National Laboratory. Its habitats include tallgrass prairie, bogs and Midwestern oak savanna. Some 740 native plants grow here, about three quarters of every species that grows wild in the county. More than 300 kinds of vertebrates, from birds and fish to reptiles, use the land, along with roughly 300 kinds of invertebrates, some all year and some only while migrating.
Beyond the wild land, there is a model airplane field in the southwest corner, and a trail leads deep into the woods to St. Patrick Cemetery.
History of Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
The waterfalls give the preserve its name. The biggest is Rocky Glen Falls on Sawmill Creek. For years, runoff from a nearby mill wore it down, and in the 1930s workers of the Civilian Conservation Corps restored it to its natural stepped shape.
Visiting Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve: tips
Plan a detour of less than a mile from the old road. This is a place for walking, so allow at least an hour or two on the trails, and wear sturdy shoes if you head for the falls. Drinking water is available close by. The National Shrine of St Therese is only about 0.6 miles away, and Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, a Route 66 restaurant dating to 1938, is about 2.3 miles off, which makes an easy pairing of a hike and a meal.
Practical info
- Address
- Northgate Rd, Darien, IL 60561
- Phone
- +1 630-933-7248
- Hours
- Daily 7–7
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapWaterfall Glen Forest Preserve with the 6 closest stops and a place to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
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Stops near Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
All of Illinois
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3.8 mi from Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
5.9 mi from Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
Questions about Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
How big is Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve?
About 2,492 acres, between Darien and Lemont in DuPage County.
Where are the waterfalls?
Rocky Glen Falls is the largest. The falls are on Sawmill Creek, which runs through the preserve to the Des Plaines River.
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