Norris Woods Nature Preserve

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Norris Woods Nature Preserve is a 900-acre protected area located in the state of Illinois.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its diverse wildlife and recreational opportunities.

One of the main reasons to visit Norris Woods Nature Preserve is the opportunity to explore its extensive network of hiking trails. The park features over 10 miles of trails that wind through lush forests, wetlands, and prairies. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and boating on the park's several lakes and ponds.

There are several points of interest within the park, including the Norris Woods Nature Center, which offers educational exhibits and programs about the area's wildlife and ecology. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, and several species of birds.

Interesting facts about Norris Woods Nature Preserve include its status as one of the largest protected areas in the region and its history as a former hunting ground for Native Americans. The park is also home to several rare and endangered species, including the Blanding's turtle.

The best time of year to visit Norris Woods Nature Preserve is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round, and each season offers unique opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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
View more

Featured Parks