Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve

Location

Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve is located north of Route 113 and west of West River Road in Custer Township.

 

VIEW SAND RIDGE SAVANNA INTERACTIVE MAP

Hours

8 a.m.-sunset

Trails

Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve Trail

Phone

815-727-8700

Activities

A distinctive landscape of dunes and open savanna

Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve encompasses 1,099 acres and offers a rare natural setting defined by sand dunes, open savanna and wetland habitat. This expansive preserve provides a quiet place to explore a landscape unlike many others in Will County, with ongoing restoration helping sustain its unique character.

Planning your visit

Sand Ridge Savanna is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.

The preserve entrance, Shenk Grove Access, is located off of Route 113, west of West River Road in Custer Township.

Amenities and activities

  • Picnicking: A picnic shelter accommodating up to 100 people is available for rental.
  • Trails: The preserve features 2.53 miles of crushed limestone trail suitable for biking, hiking, running, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Don't Be a Jerk: Trail edition

When out on a Forest Preserve District trail, don't be "that" guy or girl who is ruining the experience for others.

The road to 24,000 acres

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

Meet our Trailblazers: Alex Baxter

Alex is one of the many dedicated people who work to restore and maintain habitats throughout the county.

Flora and fauna

Sand Ridge Savanna protects a diversity of habitats including forest, prairie, savanna and wetland. 

Wildlife found at the preserve includes a variety of butterfly species, such as the black dash skipper, two-spotted skipper, variegated fritillary and the ornate box turtle.

The preserve supports a variety of plant species, including globally significant oak barrens adapted to sandy soils and sedge meadows. The preserve is also home to the state-endangered tubercled orchid and shore St. John’s wort.

Ongoing management efforts such as invasive species control, prescribed burning and habitat restoration help maintain and enhance these natural communities.

Preserve history

Sand Ridge Savanna was acquired between 1990 and 2012 and is part of the Kankakee Sands preservation system, which protects more than 1,600 acres.

A 783-acre portion of the site was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1993 and 2023. This dedication provides permanent protection for the natural resources at the preserve.

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

Bridge lined by grasses, vegetations, and trees.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Vegetation and trees with a partly cloudy sky overhead.
(Photo by Chad Merda)
Limestone trail lines with grass and vegetation with trees and a bridge in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Limestone trail lined by grasses and vegetation with a tree line in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
People riding bikes along a limestone trail with vegetation and trees in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Northern cardinal perched on a branch.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
American red squirrel resting on a branch with leaves and branches in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Lupine growing through vegetation with purple flower petals.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Dickcissel perched on a piece of vegetation.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Viceroy butterfly landed on a limestone trail.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)

Upcoming events

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Frequently asked questions

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.

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

Groups less than 25 people may use picnic groves and shelters on a first-come, first-served basis without a picnic permit if the picnic area is not already reserved. However, purchasing a picnic permit is recommended due to the high demand for picnic groves and shelters. A picnic permit will reserve your space. Picnic permits are required for groups that are 25 people or more. Visit the picnicking 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.