Belleau Woods Forest Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Atten Park Playground Cantigny Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Belleau Woods Forest Preserve is located in Cook County, Illinois.
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Summary
It is a 305-acre wooded area that offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities and natural beauty. Some of the top reasons to visit this preserve include hiking, fishing, biking, and bird watching.
One of the main attractions of Belleau Woods is its extensive trail system. There are over six miles of trails that wind through the forest and along the Des Plaines River. Visitors can explore the diverse landscape and view the many species of birds, mammals, and plant life that call the preserve home.
Another point of interest is the fishing opportunities at Belleau Woods. The Des Plaines River is home to a variety of fish species, including bass, walleye, and catfish. Anglers can easily access the river from several points within the preserve.
One interesting fact about Belleau Woods is that it was named after the Battle of Belleau Wood, which took place during World War I. The preserve was dedicated in honor of the soldiers who fought in the battle.
The best time of year to visit Belleau Woods Forest Preserve is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is most colorful. However, the preserve is open year-round and offers different experiences in each season. In the winter, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the trails.
Overall, Belleau Woods Forest Preserve is a beautiful and peaceful natural area that offers a wide range of outdoor activities and attractions. It is an excellent destination for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a quiet escape from the city.
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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.
Related References
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