Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve — Attraction in Cherry Valley Township

Great potential, but I'd like to see more Forest Preserve Police presence. Every time I go there some shady characters are there. There is a pavillion with plenty of picnic tables for birthday parties or family get togethers. A big field for football or soccer. A small park for the kids. A hiking trail. Dog friendly ( leash). Access to the Kishwaukee river and fishing. Yet there's always 2-3 individuals that aren't there for any of that, and just appear to be making drug deals or creepy looking cars.I found used condoms in the parking lot. Regular patrols would stop the...

Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve is my favorite park in Rockford because I was born and raised near this park. During the quiet hours (dusk & dawn) there are deer nearby and it always has a quiet and clean walking pathway. If you do "The Loop" where you walk the entire trail and turn around, you c as n hike for 4.5 miles. For more off-the-trail hikers, there are plenty of marked unpaved trails. Also, the Springs are wonderful if you search and find them! I love this park so much I moved to be closer to it. This is...

Amazing Forest Preserve and a great place to hike! The trails are well-marked and maintained. The blue trail is paved, but the green, orange, and red trails are dirt or grass.

If you prefer a more moderate hike on a dirt trail, then I recommend the red trail. It follows along the Kishwaukee River and provides great views. The red trail also leads to the Espencheid Forest Preserve if you follow the trail under the overpass.

There's plenty of parking and the restroom facilities...