Hickory Creek Preserve

shelter rentals

Locations

Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve is located on Schoolhouse Road, north of Route 30/Lincoln Highway in New Lenox.

Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Junction is located on Route 30/Lincoln Highway, west of Wolf Road in Mokena.

Hickory Creek Preserve - LaPorte Road Access is located on LaPorte Road, east of Wolf Road in Mokena.

Phone

815-727-8700

Hours

Sunrise-Sunset

Hickory Creek Preserve has four shelters available at Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve, Hickory Creek Junction and the LaPorte Road Access, and a permit is required for all groups of 25 or more to use a shelter. Groups smaller than 25 also can purchase a permit, which grants exclusive use of a shelter for the entire day. 

Reservations must be made at least two business days in advance of the reservation date.

CHECK SHELTER AVAILABILITY AND BOOK ONLINE

You may access the shelter beginning at 8 a.m. You must clean up and exit the preserve by sunset.

All reservations must be made in person or online. Reservations are not taken over the phone. A permit can be purchased at any of the following visitor centers:

  • Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon
  • Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook
  • Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville 
  • Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township
  • Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet

Hickory Creek Barrens Shelter

Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 60 people

Hickory Creek Junction Shelter

Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 120 people

Hickory Hollow Shelter (LaPorte Road)

Cost: $100 for residents and $200 for nonresidents
Capacity: 150 people

Shagbark Grove Shelter (LaPorte Road)

Cost: $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents
Capacity: 90 people

Permit capacity is based on a number of factors, including number of picnic tables under each shelter, seating allocated for wheelchair access, parking, trail use and preserve amenities. Please also note that parking is open to all preserve users and is not allocated solely for those reserving the shelters.

Preserve amenities including the shelter, latrine, information board and shelter picnic tables are located on accessible routes and are accessible to persons with disabilities.

The complete list of fees for all the District's shelters, along with rules and allowable special requests can be found on the picnicking page.