Rock Run Preserve

10/15/2026

Did you know that as many as 74% of nuts buried by squirrels are never recovered?

Squirrels spend fall hiding thousands of nuts to prepare for winter. Learn how they store their food, find it again and help new trees grow.

10/08/2026

Those fake spiderwebs that are used in people's yards as Halloween decorations can be a real fright for wildlife, which can get trapped in the sticky material.

Fake spiderwebs are a popular Halloween decoration, but they can be a death trap for wildlife.

10/01/2026

At Rock Run Preserve, you can surround yourself with the sights and sounds of nature, but it’s in a busy and populated spot in Will County’s largest city, so you are never too far from the hustle and bustle.

That juxtaposition is part of the beauty the preserve. You’re in nature, reaping the benefits of it, and its location along busy suburban thoroughfares makes it easy to appreciate both the convenience of its location as well as the value of these protected natural spaces.

Plan a visit this fall to hike Rock Run's miles of trails while experiencing the sights and sounds of the season. A 2-mile hike here is included in this year's Woods Walk hiking challenge. Hike seven of the 10 selected trails to complete the challenge and receive a commemorative medallion. More information on Woods Walk: https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/event-calendar/woods-walk-(10210)

(Photos by Glenn P. Knoblock)

09/28/2026

Take a moment to enjoy the sweet views out here in full 360 degrees. Take this photo for a spin, it's almost as good as being out here.

(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)

09/24/2026

Learn how the non-venomous fox snake's tail sometimes causes it to be confused with more dangerous snakes.

09/18/2026

Have you started Woods Walk yet? It's not too late to get started on our fall hiking challenge. Hike seven of 10 selected trails before Nov. 30 to receive a commemorative medallion. This year, a 2-mile hike at Rock Run Preserve is among the featured trails.

Explore seven of 10 trails to earn a hiking medallion.

09/18/2026

Creature feature: The great horned owl

Great horned owls are one of the top predators in our area. They mainly eat small mammals like rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice, but they are capable of catching animals even larger than themselves. They are also one of the few animals to hunt skunks.

They are nocturnal, and they prefer woodland habitats, particularly young forests near fields, farmland and other open areas where they can hunt. Not all owls hoot, but great horned owls do. Their familiar hoo-h-hoo-hoo-hoo is the one you probably think of when you think of an owl hooting.

Great horned owls nest in the winter, typically laying their eggs in February or March. They nest in tree cavities and hollows or will take over the nests of hawks, crows and even squirrels since they use them at different times of the year.

Fun fact: Their “horns” aren’t horns at all. Instead, they are tufts of feathers called plumicorns.

09/11/2026

How's this for a cool 360-degree photo from out here? What's your favorite thing about Rock Run Preserve?

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

09/10/2026

The winning photo in the August Preserve the Moment photo contest was taken along the trail at Rock Run Preserve. Check out this serene moment captured by Amy Miller of Joliet.

The photo contest continues through the end of the year, so you still have a chance to snag a prize. Monthly winners receive a $75 Mastercard gift card and will be in the running for the grand prize, a $500 gift card.

Winning image captures three deer on a foggy morning at Rock Run Preserve

09/03/2026

Only 1% of the 170 million acres of tallgrass prairie that once covered North America still remains today.

America's prairies have long been celebrated, but they've mostly disappeared.