O'Hara Woods Preserve

Location

O'Hara Woods Preserve is located north of Romeo Road and east of Weber Road in Romeoville.

 

View O'Hara Woods interactive map

Hours

8 a.m.-sunset

Trails

O'Hara Woods Trail

Phone

815-727-8700

Activities

O’Hara Woods Preserve in Romeoville protects a 54-acre parcel composed of forest and wetland along a portion of Lily Cache Slough, offering a peaceful setting for nature exploration.

The preserve is located adjacent to the Village of Romeoville’s O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve, creating a larger connected landscape for wildlife and visitors alike.

Planning your visit

O’Hara Woods is open 8 a.m.to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.

Exploring the preserve

The preserve features 0.67 mile of paved, boardwalk and natural surface trail, ideal for hiking, running and snowshoeing. The trail system connects to trails owned by the Village of Romeoville, with access available from the Village’s Conservation Park or Village Park.

Know your backyard birds: Tufted titmouse

Titmice are a frequent sight in yards and parks.

The road to 24,000 acres

The Forest Preserve District sprouted up in 1926 and has continued to save land from development.

Buzz bit: Rascally raccoons

Whether you live in the city, suburbs or rural, open spaces, it’s likely that you have raccoon wild neighbors.

Flora and fauna

O’Hara Woods protects a mix of forest and wetland habitat that supports local wildlife and plant communities. Its location along Lily Cache Slough adds to the ecological diversity of the site.

Preserve history

O’Hara Woods Preserve was acquired between 2006 and 2008. The preserve is part of the Lily Cache Creek preservation system, which protects approximately 1,000 acres. 

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

Paved trail lined with grasses, vegetation, and fall colored trees.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Dirt trail lined by trees and Virginia bluebells.
(Photo by Chad Merda)
Walking bridge lined by grasses and trees.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Creek lined by grasses and vegetation with trees in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Black crowned night heron standing near water.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Two white-tailed deer eating vegetation walking over fallen leaves.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Eastern chipmunk standing on a downed tree.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Virginia bluebells growing with purple and blue flower petals.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
American bullfrog sitting on a fallen tree.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
American robin perched on a branch.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

Upcoming events

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Frequently asked questions

Prescribed fire is a carefully planned activity, and controlled burns are conducted under specific weather conditions by trained professionals. Many Illinois ecosystems — including prairie, oak savanna and woodland — evolved with periodic fire. Prescribed burning helps:

  • Control invasive species
  • Encourage native plant growth
  • Recycle nutrients
  • Maintain healthy ecosystem structure

Burns are conducted with public safety as the top priority.

There are many opportunities to volunteer with us. Visit the volunteer information page for more information.

Leashed dogs are welcome in the forest preserves, excluding natural surface trails in areas designated as state nature preserves. With a permit, dogs are allowed off-leash in designated dog parks only. Visit the dog park page for more information.

Call 911 in an emergency. Non-emergency safety concerns should be directed to the Laraway Communications Center dispatch at 815-727-6191 (option 9) to have a Forest Preserve District officer dispatched. Non-emergency and past concerns can also be reported to the District's police department by calling 815-727-8700 or through the online form.

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions: Concealed Carry page for information about firearms in the District's forest preserves and visitor centers.