Forest Preserve District’s picnicking and camping permits available online

The Forest Preserve District of Will County will offer online picnicking and camping permits for the first time in 2019 at ReconnectWithNature.org.

Camping and picnicking permits are also available at three Forest Preserve visitor centers: Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township and Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet.

Monee Reservoir's Visitor Center, which only sells picnic permits for the shelters and picnic grove at Monee Reservoir, is closed for the winter and reopens March 1.

Picnic permits cover more than 30 rentable shelters that are nestled in forest preserves throughout Will County.

Shelter rental fees begin at $60 for Will County residents and $120 for nonresidents. The cost to rent Monee Grove is $35 for residents, $70 for nonresidents. Permits are required for groups of 25 or more, and to ensure the preferred shelter will be available.

Tent camping is allowed at Forked Creek Preserve – Ballou Road Access in Wesley Township, Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township, Hammel Woods – DuPage River Access in Shorewood, McKinley Woods – Frederick’s Grove in Channahon and Messenger Woods Nature Preserve in Homer Glen.

Campsite rental fees begin at $15 per night for residents and $30 per night for nonresidents.