Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve — Attraction in Bartlett

This place is beautiful. Nestled in the NW suburbs on the northern edge of DuPage County, it's like a very big hidden jem. You can't help but see it if you live in Hanover Park or Bartlett, but unless you take the time to explore it, you might not realise just how immense it is.

It runs from County Farm road on the east to Bartlett road on the west, and from just south of Devon all the way down to Stuckmam Boulevard. Its basically town sized, and much, much bigger if you consider that it's now linked by overhead pedestrian bridge to Mallard Lake, plus the trails and parks north up to Greenbrook.

It's not paved, but the path is very comfortably done in well crushed and compacted gravel. This makes it very comfortable for biking and hiking. On the map it looks flat, but in reality it has some significant hills that are gentle enough to escape first notice...until you are breathing hard to make it to the crest.

It's very, very clean. No garbage. No structures. No benches. Just a huge expanse of natural beauty big enough to hear the wind instead of the sound of traffic. It's open prairie so there are no overhead trees on the path. Dawn and dusk are perfect times to go. You can park on Stuckman boulevard, or if you want a parking lot go to the park on the SE side of Greenbrook.

It's big, so if you plan on hiking from one side to the other, come prepared...particularly for the weather. Plenty of water when its warm. Extra layers in a backpack if it's cold. Cell phone, chem lights if you out in the late fall afternoon. I say this as a prepper because if you twist your ankle and your out there as night is falling, you want something to let you be easily seen. First aid kit is never a bad idea. As I said, it's a very big place, and as it gets colder fewer people are around. But this is also its charm. I go there for the serenity. Walking the trail, I feel centered. Clears my head.

Check it out. I think you will like it as...

One of our favorite dog parks to go to. You do need a pass that you can obtain in advance through the DuPage Forest Preserve’s website. This is a fenced in prairie with a path that resembles an 8. There are two smaller mowed fenced in areas, one designated for small dogs, if you are looking for your pup to play with other dogs. Everyone we came across is nice, and so are the pups. During the summer it does get hot and there’s no access to water, so make sure to bring a bottle with. When it rains, the path does get muddy, and if you have a dog like mine that loves to roll in mud, then I’d use the grass area instead. In winters after snowmelt, there is a lot of muddy water. Overall it’s...

Looks nice however... please note they do enforce permits for dogs and they are VERY expensive. We stopped by for a quick look at the facilities and were stopped by Forest Preserve police for Dupage County checking permits for use of off leash fenced in areas and path. Police told us, all dogs need a seperate permit to go off leash or use off leash areas and to check online for permits. Went only and they are $55 for one dog ($15 I believe for each additional dog) IF you are a Dupage County resident. If you are NOT a Dupage County resident, it is $165 for one dog and $35 for each additional dog for an annual permit. I didn't see any options for a day pass. Too...