Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Needles Park John W Needles Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve is a 299-acre natural area located in the state of Illinois.
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Summary
The preserve offers a variety of outdoor activities, including walking, hiking, biking, fishing, and bird watching.
One of the main draws of Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve is its location along the Calumet River, which provides opportunities for boating and fishing. The preserve also offers several picnic areas and shelters for those looking to enjoy a meal in the great outdoors.
Visitors to the preserve can also explore a number of unique habitats, including wetlands and savannas. The preserve is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including bald eagles and great blue herons.
Some of the specific points of interest at Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve include the park's many hiking trails and its interpretive center, which offers educational exhibits and programs on the history and ecology of the area. The preserve is also home to several historic landmarks, including the Beaubien family cemetery and a former stagecoach stop.
The best time of year to visit Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve depends on the activity you're interested in. Bird watching is particularly good in the spring and fall, while fishing is best in the summer months. The preserve is open year-round, though some facilities may be closed during the winter months.
Overall, Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Illinois and learn more about the area's rich history and ecology.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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