Lake Renwick Preserve

Location

Lake Renwick Preserve has three access points:

Copley Nature Park is located on Route 30/Lincoln Highway, north of Renwick Road, in Plainfield.

Heron Rookery Nature Preserve is located on Renwick Road, east of Route 30/Lincoln Highway, in Plainfield.

Turtle Lake Access is located on Lockport Street, east of Division Street, in Plainfield.

Phone

815-727-8700

Hours

Copley Nature Park and Turtle Lake Access are open 8 a.m.-sunset year-round. Heron Rookery Nature Preserve is open 8 a.m.-sunset from August 16-February 28 and closed from March 1-August 15 except for public program dates/times as listed in the Event Calendar. 

Visitor center

The visitor center at Heron Rookery Nature Preserve is only open for scheduled public programs as listed on the Event Calendar. 

On social media

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

Activities

Preserve history

The 839-acre Lake Renwick Preserve was acquired between 1989 and 2010.

The preserve is part of the Lily Cache Creek preservation system, which conserves approximately 1,000 acres.

A 320-acre portion of the site was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1992. This dedication provides permanent protection for the natural resources at the preserve. A 149-acre portion of the site was registered as an Illinois Land and Water Reserve in 2003. This registration provides permanent protection for the natural resources at the preserve.

The preserve has three access points, all in Plainfield: Copley Nature Park, Heron Rookery Nature Preserve and Turtle Lake Access.

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE ON THIS PRESERVE'S INTERACTIVE MAP

Natural resources

Lake Renwick Preserve protects a 200-acre lake with associated wetland habitat.

Wildlife found at the preserve includes a variety of bird species, such as the great blue heron and great egret. Structures have been built on islands within the lake to provide nesting opportunities for the birds.

Hundreds of people visit the Heron Rookery Nature Preserve each year to be dazzled by nesting herons, egrets and cormorants. Activity doesn't stop when the nesting season ends. Lake Renwick is also a hot spot for bald eagles, American white pelicans and hundreds of winter waterfowl.

Access to Heron Rookery Nature Preserve is limited on a seasonal basis to protect the nesting activities of migratory birds. During the breeding season from March 1 through mid-August, this access is only open for public programs and guided bird viewing as listed in the Event Calendar. The preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset from mid-August through February. Copley Nature Park and Turtle Lake Access remain open year-round.

The preserve is also home to a variety of plant species, including large-leaved pondweed and water stargrass.

The site is managed with monitoring activities and habitat enhancement to protect and enhance its natural resources. 

Due to the sensitivity of the site's natural resources, dogs are not allowed in Heron Rookery Nature Preserve. Bicycling and fishing at this preserve are limited to Turtle Lake Access.


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Amenities and activities

Trails

The Heron Rookery Nature Preserve features 1.45 miles of crushed limestone trail, ideal for hiking/running.

Turtle Lake Access provides access to the 3.35-mile, paved Lake Renwick Bikeway, ideal for the following activities:

  • Biking
  • Hiking/Running
  • In-Line Skating
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snowshoeing

Fishing

Turtle Lake Access offers access to shoreline fishing in designated areas of Turtle and Budde Lakes. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged, but daily limits are:

Wildlife viewing

All three access areas provide opportunities for wildlife viewing. Copley Nature Park features a gazebo with mounted scopes for bird viewing. The Heron Rookery Nature Preserve also features mounted scopes for bird viewing.

Geocaching

Permits are available for geocaching at Turtle Lake Access.

Visitor center

The Heron Rookery Nature Preserve features the Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Visitor Center, which is open to the public seasonally for bird viewing. 

An aerial view of Lake Renwick, showing the trails and surrounding water.
(Photo by Chad Merda)
A view of the amphitheater at Turtle Lake.
Turtle Lake Access. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Empty nesting platforms on a nesting island.
Nesting platforms. (Photo by Suzy Lyttle)
Five great blue herons perched on nesting platforms on a nesting island.
Great blue herons. (Photo by Chad Merda)
A great egret flying over water.
A great egret. (Photo by Chad Merda)
An orange and red sky as the sun sets behind a lake with nesting platforms visible in the distance.
(Photo courtesy of Michelle Wendling)
Two benches covered by a shade structure near a trail with grass in the background.
Turtle Lake Access. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
A painted turtle perched on a log in the water.
A painted turtle. (Photo by Chad Merda)