Lyon/Richard Young Forest Preserve, Yorkville, IL

Lyon/Richard Young Forest Preserve covers 1,100 acres along the Fox River in Yorkville. It includes over nine miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, with several loops that follow the riverbank and pass through oak savanna and wetland areas. The preserve has a boat launch at the Richard Young section for kayaks and canoes, plus fishing access along the river. Picnic shelters and restrooms are located at both the Lyon Farm and Richard Young entrances, and the farmstead includes a restored 1840s barn and interpretive displays. The preserve sits within a few miles of Yorkville’s downtown shops and restaurants, as well as access to Illinois Route 47 and the Fox River Trail, which extends north toward Oswego and south toward Plano.

Cross-Country Skiing Hiking Paths Picnic Area