Butternut Preserve, Crystal Lake, IL

Butternut Preserve covers 96 acres of protected woodland and wetland in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The main entrance at the end of Route 176 leads to a 1.8-mile crushed-stone trail that circles through oak-hickory forest and along the edge of a 12-acre cattail marsh. Two boardwalk sections cross wet areas and provide elevated views of the water and birdlife. A picnic shelter and parking lot sit near the trailhead, and portable restrooms are available during open hours. The preserve connects directly to the 40-mile Prairie Trail, allowing cyclists and runners to continue north or south without returning to their cars. Fishing is permitted from the shoreline with an Illinois license, and the shallow pond holds bluegill and largemouth bass. In winter, the same trail doubles as a groomed path for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when conditions permit. The site is managed by the McHenry County Conservation District and remains open daily from sunrise to sunset with no entry fee.

Hiking Paths