Greenbelt Forest Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Coles Park Dugdale Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Greenbelt Forest Preserve is a nature reserve located in the state of Illinois.
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Summary
It is a great place to visit for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and campers. The preserve covers an area of 3,400 acres and has a diverse range of habitats, including wetlands, prairies, and woodlands.
Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, and bird-watching. The preserve has over 8 miles of hiking trails, which are well-marked and maintained. There are also several fishing ponds in the preserve, which are stocked with a variety of fish.
One of the most popular points of interest in the preserve is the campground. The campground has over 300 campsites, which are available for both tent and RV camping. The sites are well-spaced and offer a lot of privacy.
Another popular attraction in the preserve is the Nature Center. The center features interactive exhibits and displays on the natural history of the area. Visitors can learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems that are found in the preserve.
Greenbelt Forest Preserve is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, foxes, and a variety of bird species. The best time to visit the preserve is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful.
Overall, Greenbelt Forest Preserve is a great place to visit for anyone who loves nature and the outdoors. With its diverse range of habitats, hiking trails, and campsites, it offers something for everyone.
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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
Coles Park
Dugdale Park
McClory Trail
Boak Park
Glen Flora Park