Campground Road Forest Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Oakton Park Maine Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Campground Road Forest Preserve is a beautiful nature preserve located in Kane County, Illinois.
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Summary
The preserve is a popular destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts. There are several good reasons to visit Campground Road Forest Preserve, including its beautiful scenery, abundance of wildlife, and numerous recreational activities.
One of the most popular activities at the preserve is hiking. There are several miles of well-maintained trails that wind through the forest and offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape. In addition to hiking, visitors can also enjoy fishing, boating, and picnicking. There are several picnic areas and a boat launch available for visitors to use.
Some specific points of interest at Campground Road Forest Preserve include the Fox River, which runs through the preserve, and the numerous species of birds that can be seen throughout the year. The preserve is home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, great blue herons, and sandhill cranes.
One interesting fact about the preserve is that it is home to one of the largest stands of oak trees in Kane County. The oak trees are an important part of the local ecosystem and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife.
The best time of year to visit Campground Road Forest Preserve is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the preserve is open year-round and offers something to see and do no matter what time of year you visit.
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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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