Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve

Location

Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve is located on Pauling Road, east of Route 50/Governors Highway, in Monee Township.

 

View Raccoon Grove interactive map

Hours

8 a.m.-sunset

Trails

Raccoon Grove Nature Trail

Phone

815-727-8700

Activities

Spanning 213 acres, Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee Township protects a diverse mix of forest, prairie, savanna and wetland habitats along a portion of Rock Creek, supporting a wide variety of plant and animal life.

The site also holds cultural significance, protecting part of a reservation granted in 1832 to the daughters of a Potawatomi woman named Marie Bailly.

Planning your visit

The preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.

To protect the preserve’s sensitive habitats and wildlife, dogs are not allowed on the nature trail.

Exploring the preserve

Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve features 0.27 mile of natural surface trail, ideal for hiking and running.

Raccoon Grove: 213 acres of natural beauty

This nature preserves offers a natural surface trail and plenty of opportunities to spot a variety of wildlife and wildflowers.

Get to know the blue jay

Listen for this bold and noisy bird calling from the treetops as it searches for seeds and acorns.

The road to 24,000 acres

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

Flora and fauna

Raccoon Grove supports a variety of wildlife, including the tiger salamander and more than 80 bird species such as the scarlet tanager and eastern wood-pewee. The preserve is home to a rich mix of plant life, including white, bur and black oak, shagbark hickory and sugar maple trees. In spring, wildflowers such as blue-eyed Mary and Virginia bluebell create a colorful display across the forest floor.

Ongoing management — including invasive species control and prescribed burning — helps maintain and enhance these ecosystems.

Preserve history

Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve was acquired between 1937 and 1992. A 211-acre portion of the site was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1989, providing permanent protection for the site’s natural resources. The preserve is part of the Rock Creek preservation system, which protects nearly 470 acres.

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

Trail sign with trees in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Creek lined with trees and Virginia bluebells.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Dirt trail lined by trees and grasses.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Dirt trail lined by trees and grasses.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Raccoon standing on a downed tree with other trees and vegetation in the background.
(Photo courtesy of Byron Morgan)
Wooden walking bridge with natural trail, vegetation, and trees in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Pileated woodpecker clinging to the side of a tree.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Prairie trillium growing with red flower petals and patterned green leaves.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Turkey tail fungus growing on a fallen tree.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Eastern gray squirrel standing on a branch.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)

Upcoming events

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Frequently asked questions

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