Chicago, IL: Blackwell Forest Preserve
Link a DuPage county high point, oak and hickory woodlands, a marshy pit-stop for migrating birds, and the hiding spot for a woolly mammoth on this 6.1-miler west of Chicago.
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The Blackwell Forest Preserve is home to DuPage County’s first wetland restoration project: McKee Marsh. Now the centerpiece of the preserve, the large marsh hosts dozens of species of migratory birds including herons, egrets, bluebirds, and bobolinks. This 6.1-mile lollipop loop links the multi-use regional trail through the park’s southern side with the 2.3-mile interpretive loop around the marsh itself.
Begin at the lot just north of Butterfield Road and head west around White Pine Pond, skirting Mt. Hoy’s western edge (after this hike, trek up the 150-foot slope on its eastern side for 30-mile views of downtown). The wide, gravel path ducks into oak, hickory, and elm groves headed north across Springbrook Creek before crossing Mack Road.
Less than 2 miles in, turn right onto the Bobolink Trail for a 2.3-mile loop; first through wildflower-sprinkled prairie grasslands, then around the west side of McKee Marsh. Early and late in the day, you’re likely to see deer browsing goldenrod, milkweed, aster, and other prairie plants along this stretch. Look for interpretive signs explaining local wildlife and the area’s glacial history as you complete the loop and begin backtracking south toward the trailhead.
-Mapped by Ted Villaire

























Trail Facts
- Distance: 10.0
Waypoints
065
Location: 39.3628519, -106.3116558
29-SEP-09 3:56:25PM
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Location: 39.3595267, -106.3188057
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Location: 39.358882, -106.3198545
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Location: 39.3568656, -106.3209587
29-SEP-09 4:26:01PM
069
Location: 39.3547371, -106.3259125
29-SEP-09 4:32:59PM
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Location: 39.3539227, -106.3398316
29-SEP-09 4:51:25PM
071
Location: 39.3522068, -106.3496393
29-SEP-09 5:06:43PM
072
Location: 39.3507501, -106.350006
29-SEP-09 5:16:15PM
073
Location: 39.3478751, -106.3588101
29-SEP-09 5:44:20PM
074
Location: 39.3473657, -106.360081
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Location: 39.3446014, -106.3598578
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076
Location: 39.3439687, -106.3761556
29-SEP-09 6:19:38PM
077
Location: 39.3420071, -106.3785343
29-SEP-09 6:34:31PM
078
Location: 39.340991, -106.3822141
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Location: 39.3396522, -106.3858835
29-SEP-09 6:48:20PM
080
Location: 39.3348049, -106.3904565
29-SEP-09 7:01:37PM
081
Location: 39.3341944, -106.3929872
29-SEP-09 7:05:15PM
082
Location: 39.332982, -106.3964481
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Location: 39.3318699, -106.3979355
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084
Location: 39.3310019, -106.3997679
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088
Location: 39.3268018, -106.4088364
30-SEP-09 10:04:47AM
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Location: 39.3193393, -106.4103337
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Location: 39.317444, -106.4079562
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Location: 39.3078778, -106.405225
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Location: 39.3072428, -106.4075451
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Location: 39.3025814, -106.4112404
30-SEP-09 11:48:51AM
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Location: 39.3013471, -106.4155555
30-SEP-09 11:56:43AM
095
Location: 39.2994905, -106.4175974
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096
Location: 39.2984978, -106.4203234
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Location: 39.2973959, -106.4227806
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Location: 39.2953961, -106.4326236
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Location: 39.2953982, -106.4326182
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Location: 39.2938928, -106.4339416
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Location: 39.2881637, -106.4395857
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Location: 39.2852379, -106.441589
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Location: 39.2849603, -106.4441486
30-SEP-09 1:31:15PM
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Location: 39.2853039, -106.4460704
30-SEP-09 1:34:38PM