Dam 1 Woods Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Aspen Trail Park Macintosh Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Dam 1 Woods Preserve is a 67-acre nature preserve located in Cook County, Illinois.
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Summary
The preserve is part of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and is open to the public year-round. The preserve offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the area, including wetlands, forests, and prairies.
Some of the reasons to visit Dam 1 Woods Preserve include hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography. The preserve is home to a variety of bird species, including the bald eagle, great blue heron, and red-tailed hawk. Visitors can also spot deer, coyotes, and other wildlife.
One of the main points of interest in the preserve is the Des Plaines River. The river runs through the preserve and offers visitors a chance to fish, canoe, and kayak. The preserve also has several hiking trails, including the 1.5-mile River Trail, which follows the Des Plaines River and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
Interesting facts about the area include that the preserve was once used as a dumping ground for construction debris and was later restored to its natural state. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County acquired the land in the 1990s and has worked to protect and preserve the area ever since.
The best time of year to visit Dam 1 Woods Preserve is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its most colorful. Visitors should be aware that the preserve can be busy during peak season, and parking may be limited.
Overall, Dam 1 Woods Preserve is a beautiful and peaceful place to explore nature in Illinois and offers visitors a chance to connect with the natural world.
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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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