Waterfall Glen Forest is a big, beautiful place near Chicago. It has a pretty waterfall. It has tall trees and many animals. This forest is 2,503 acres in Darien, Illinois. You can walk, ride a bike, or look at nature. The Rocky Glen Waterfall is a favorite spot. But there are many other things to see! I’m Douglas Baltes. I love nature. I studied Marine Biology at the University of Tasmania. I’ll tell you about this forest in easy words. Let’s explore this special place together!
Why Is Waterfall Glen So Nice?
Waterfall Glen is a great forest. It has 740 kinds of plants. That’s a lot! It has more plants than most places in DuPage County. Over 300 animals live here too. You can see birds, deer, and frogs. The forest has prairies, woods, and wet areas. These places are homes for plants and animals. The Rocky Glen Waterfall is man-made. People built it in the 1930s. It’s still very pretty. The forest also has old history. Native Americans lived here long ago. There are old stone quarries too.
Fun Facts About the Forest
- Size: 2,503 acres. It’s very big!
- Plants: 740 different kinds, like grasses and flowers.
- Animals: Over 300, like birds and foxes.
- Trails: 11 miles of paths to walk or bike.
- History: Native Americans and old quarries used for Chicago buildings.
The Rocky Glen Waterfall
The Rocky Glen Waterfall is the best part of Waterfall Glen. It’s not a giant waterfall. But it’s so nice! People made it in the 1930s. Water falls over rocks into a little pool. Kids like to splash in the water. The path to the waterfall is short. It’s 0.8 miles from the Bluff Road parking lot. The path is made of small stones. It’s easy to walk. Even strollers can go on it.
To find the waterfall, drive to Cass Avenue from I-55. Go south for 1.5 miles. Turn east on Bluff Road. Drive 0.3 miles to the parking lot. Look for a sign that says “Outdoor Education Camp.” The path has trees all around. You might see a deer. Or hear birds. The waterfall is great for pictures. Use a camera to make the water look smooth. Wear shoes that grip well. The rocks can be wet and slippery.
Walking the Trails
Waterfall Glen has 11 miles of trails. The biggest trail is 9.5 miles long. It goes in a circle. It’s made of stones and grass. It’s easy to walk or bike. There are also tiny trails. These are not on maps. They are fun but be careful. They might not lead back to the main trail.
Trails to Try
- Main Loop Trail: 9.5 miles. It takes 3 hours to walk. Good for bikes too.
- Rocky Glen Path: 0.8 miles to the waterfall. Easy for kids.
- Sawmill Creek Bluff Trail: 0.75 miles from Bluff Road. See the river from high up.
The trails go through woods and prairies. You’ll see hills and flat spots. Bikes must stay on marked paths. This keeps plants safe. Horses can use some trails. Park at Northgate Road for horses. Dogs can come too. Keep them on a short leash. Spring is great for flowers. Fall has pretty leaves. Winter shows ice at the waterfall.
Plants and Animals Everywhere
Waterfall Glen is full of life. It has 740 kinds of plants. That’s most of the plants in DuPage County! Poverty Prairie is a special place. It has 339 kinds of plants. One is called poverty oat grass. It’s why the prairie has that name. The forest has oak trees and maple trees. These make shade for animals.
Over 300 animals live in the forest. You might see a deer or a fox. Birds like meadowlarks sing in the grass. Frogs and fish live near water. In spring, birds fly through the forest. Look for gray catbirds. Monarch butterflies visit too. I studied Marine Biology. I learned how places like this work. Prairies are like ocean kelp forests. Both need balance. Bad plants, like buckthorn, can hurt the forest. People work to take them away.
Animals to Look For
- Birds: Meadowlarks, gray catbirds, sometimes bald eagles.
- Mammals: Deer, mice, foxes.
- Frogs and Snakes: Near water, especially in spring.
- Butterflies: Monarchs and bees fly around.
Helping the Forest Stay Healthy
People take care of Waterfall Glen. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County works hard. They fix places like Bluff Savanna. This area has 422 kinds of plants. Bad plants like honeysuckle grow too much. Workers cut them down. They use safe sprays to stop them. This helps good plants grow. Oak trees and hickory trees get stronger. New plants start growing.
Poverty Prairie is another special spot. It’s 120 acres big. Rare plants live there. Workers clear weeds to keep them safe. I worked on kelp forests in Australia. It’s similar work. Healthy places need help to stay strong. Since 2014, the District has cleared many bad plants. This helps animals and plants live better.
Secret Places to Find
Waterfall Glen has hidden spots. One is St. Patrick Cemetery. It’s far in the forest. You need unmarked trails to find it. These trails are not on maps. The cemetery is old and quiet. It feels special. Another secret is a natural waterfall. It’s not like the man-made Rocky Glen. People talk about it, but it’s hard to find. I haven’t seen it yet. Looking for it is like a game.
The Sawmill Creek Bluff Overlook is another great spot. It’s 0.75 miles from Bluff Road. You can see the Des Plaines River. It’s high up and pretty. Bring a blanket for a picnic. Signal Hill is also cool. Native Americans used it long ago. They sent messages from there. Now it’s a quiet place with big rocks.
Cool Hidden Spots
- St. Patrick Cemetery: Old and far away. Use unmarked trails.
- Sawmill Creek Bluff: See the river. Good for picnics.
- Signal Hill: Old Native American spot with rocks.
The Story of Waterfall Glen
Waterfall Glen has a long history. Native Americans lived here before the 1600s. They used Signal Hill to send signals. In the 1800s, the Ward Brothers made a mill. It was on Sawmill Creek. It cut wood. Edwin Walker had stone quarries. The stone helped build Chicago’s Water Tower. In 1925, the Forest Preserve District got 75 acres. In 1973, they added more land. Now it’s 2,503 acres.
The forest is named after Seymour “Bud” Waterfall. He was not a waterfall. He was a leader of the District. In the 1930s, people fixed the land. They built the Rocky Glen Waterfall. It stopped dirt from washing away. The forest is near Argonne National Laboratory. This mix of nature and history is special.
How to Visit Waterfall Glen
Waterfall Glen is close to Chicago. It’s in Darien, near I-55. The main entrance is on Northgate Road. From I-55, go south on Cass Avenue for 0.5 miles. Turn right on Northgate Road. Drive 400 feet to the parking lot. For the waterfall, use Bluff Road. It’s 1.5 miles south of Northgate on Cass Avenue. Then go 0.3 miles east on Bluff Road.
Getting Ready to Go
- What to Bring: Water, snacks, good shoes, a camera.
- Best Times: Spring for flowers, fall for colors, winter for ice.
- For Kids: The waterfall path is easy. Use a stroller with big wheels.
- For Dogs: Use a leash under 10 feet. No alcohol allowed.
- Parking: Northgate Road or Bluff Road. Horses park at Northgate.
Weekends are busy. Try weekdays for fewer people. Check the weather. Don’t go if it’s too hot. Trails get muddy after rain. Wear strong shoes. Get a trail map from dupageforest.org. It helps you find your way.
Fun Things to Do
Waterfall Glen is fun for everyone. Hikers like the 9.5-mile loop. It’s 3 hours long with hills. Bikers can ride on marked trails. It’s a good workout. Horse riders use Northgate Road. In winter, try skiing. The trails are ready for it. You can fish in old quarries or the river. You must be 16 or older to fish.
Kids love the waterfall. The water is shallow and safe. Families can picnic at the Scenic Overlook. There’s a table there. Bring snacks and a blanket. Photographers can take pictures. The waterfall and bluff are great spots. Share your photos with #WaterfallGlen. There’s a model airplane field too. It’s in the southwest part. Watching planes is fun.
Why Waterfall Glen Is Important
Waterfall Glen is more than a forest. It’s a place for nature and history. It keeps rare plants and animals safe. It teaches us about ecosystems. I studied kelp forests in Australia. Prairies here are similar. Both need care to stay healthy. The forest’s projects show how to help nature.
The forest is close to Chicago. But it feels far away. You hear birds, not cars. You see stars at night. It’s a calm place. You can walk, bike, or sit by the waterfall. Waterfall Glen is a place to love and keep safe.
Last Thoughts
Waterfall Glen Forest is a treasure near Chicago. The Rocky Glen Waterfall shines in the sun. Secret trails lead to places like St. Patrick Cemetery. The forest has plants and animals that need our help. Come with your family or friends. Walk, take pictures, or enjoy the quiet. Share your visit with #WaterfallGlen. What will you see in this ecological haven?
Disclaimer: The information in this article about Waterfall Glen Forest is for general knowledge only. It aims to share facts about the forest, its trails, ecology, and history. Douglas Baltes, the author, uses his Marine Biology background to provide accurate details. However, the content is based on available sources and personal insights. It may not cover every aspect of Waterfall Glen. Always check with official sources, like the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, for current trail conditions, rules, or safety guidelines. The author is not responsible for any issues from using this information. Visit at your own risk.
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Douglas Baltes is a writer who loves the ocean! He has worked for five years to learn about it. He writes fun stories about the Great Southern Reef in Australia, a big place with giant kelp forests under the water. Douglas has a degree in Marine Biology from the University of Tasmania, so he knows a lot about sea life! He works with nice groups to save the kelp forests. Douglas writes easy and exciting stories about them. He also leads happy projects to help the forests grow again. The Australian Marine Conservation Society loves his work!
