Ned Brown Forest Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Woodland Meadows Debra Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Ned Brown Forest Preserve, also known as Busse Woods, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Illinois.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
It covers over 3,700 acres of land and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and over 150 bird species.
Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and picnicking. The preserve features numerous trails, including a paved trail around Busse Lake, and is a great place for bird watching.
Some specific points of interest within the preserve include the Elk Pasture, where visitors can see a herd of elk, and the Ned Brown Meadow, which is a designated nature preserve filled with native prairie plants.
Ned Brown Forest Preserve is also home to the Busse Forest Nature Preserve, which boasts vast oak forests, wetlands, and tallgrass prairies. The preserve's visitor center offers educational exhibits, programs, and activities for all ages.
The best time to visit Ned Brown Forest Preserve is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the preserve is open year-round and offers different seasonal activities such as ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling during winter.
In summary, Ned Brown Forest Preserve is a great place to visit for those looking for outdoor activities and nature experiences. It offers a variety of trails, wildlife, and educational opportunities that can be enjoyed year-round.
Weather Forecast
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
Woodland Meadows
Debra Park
Huntington Chase Park
Winston Dr
Marshall Field Park
Peregrine Lake
Axehead Lake
Belleau Lake
Beck Lake