LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, St. Charles, IL

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve covers 1,135 acres along the Fox River in St. Charles, with more than eight miles of maintained trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use. The preserve includes a 40-acre arboretum, a historic one-room schoolhouse, and the Pioneer Sholes School, all accessible to the public. Visitors can launch non-motorized boats from the canoe/kayak access point or fish along the river shoreline. Picnic shelters, playgrounds, and a sledding hill are available year-round, while the Natural Areas Volunteer Center offers environmental education programs. The preserve borders several residential neighborhoods, providing direct trail connections for residents and quick access via Illinois Route 64 and Route 31. Nearby amenities include the St. Charles Public Library, Otter Creek Golf Course, and retail corridors along Randall Road, all within a five- to ten-minute drive.

Hiking Paths