Hammel Woods

Location

Hammel Woods has three access points:

Crumby Recreation Area is located on Black Road, east of Route 59, in Shorewood.

DuPage River Access is located on Black Road, west of Interstate 55, in Shorewood.

Route 59 Access is located on Route 59, north of Route 52/Jefferson Street, in Shorewood.

Phone

815-727-8700

Hours

8 a.m.-Sunset

On social media

Like the Hammel Woods Facebook page to get news updates, photos, videos and information about upcoming programs at this preserve.

Activities

Trails

Events

Preserve history

The 445-acre Hammel Woods was acquired between 1930 and 2011.

The preserve is part of the DuPage River preservation system, which conserves more than 1,500 acres.

The first 147 acres of Hammel Woods were the District's second and third acquisitions in 1930. The preserve is located at the site of the historic Grinton Mill and was named in honor of American soldiers who fought in the World War I battle in Hamel, France.

This preserve has three access areas, all in Shorewood: Crumby Recreation Area, DuPage River Access and Route 59 Access.

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE ON THIS PRESERVE'S INTERACTIVE MAP

Natural resources

Hammel Woods protects forest and wetland habitats.

Wildlife found at the preserve includes the long-tailed weasel and least weasel.

The preserve is also home to a variety of plant species, including swamp thistle, bitternut hickory and white baneberry.

Amenities and activities

Trails

All three access areas feature 1.6 miles of natural surface trail, ideal for the following activities:

  • Hiking/running
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing

All three access areas also provides access to a 3.77-mile, paved segment of the DuPage River Trail, ideal for the following activities:

  • Biking
  • Hiking/running
  • In-line skating
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing

Dog park


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DuPage River Access features a 10.8-acre, off-leash dog park, including a 2.3-acre enclosure exclusively for dogs under 35 pounds. A permit is required for dog park use.

Camping

DuPage River Access offers six primitive campsites for family or group rental, with a permit capacity of six to eight people per site. The campsites are on flat to slightly sloped natural surface terrain in partial to full shade and provide access to fire pits and latrines.

Picnicking

There are three picnic shelters, two of which are available for rental:

  • Crumby Recreation Area Shelter, which has a permit capacity of 120 people. is available for rental.
  • Hidden Shelter at the Route 59 Access, which has a permit capacity of 100 people, is available for rental. 
  • Shorewood Grove Shelter is currently unavailable for rental until further notice due to a bat colony's inhabitance of the shelter. 

Fishing

DuPage River Access and Route 59 Access offer access to shoreline fishing on the DuPage River. State and District regulations apply.

Canoeing/kayaking

DuPage River Access and Route 59 Access feature a canoe/kayak launch on the DuPage River. No launch pass is required.

Geocaching

Permits are available for geocaching at Hammel Woods.

A dog running at the dog park.
Hammel Woods Dog Park. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
A scenic view of the trail with a green forest in the background.
(Photo courtesy of Kevin Keller)
Mushrooms on tree bark.
(Photo courtesy of Carol Goolsby)
Two deer in a field.
White-tailed deer. (Photo courtesy of Joe Viola)
A scenic view of the water.
(Photo by Chad Merda)
A barred owl in a tree.
A barred owl. (Photo courtesy of Mat Zook)