20301 E 900 North Rd.
Westville, IL 61883
Telephone: 217-662-2142
Fax: 217-662-2146
Gannett Outdoor Education
Center
Founded in 1968, Forest Glen Preserve is 1800 acres in size. It is located seven miles
east of Westville on County Highway 5. It is rated number three b
otanically in Illinois
and consists of beech-maple and oak-hickory forest types. There are four registered
Illinois Nature Preserves within the park ( Duffin Woods, 200 acres; Forest Glen Seep, 11
acres; Howard's Hollow Seep, 30 acres), and Doris L. Westfall Prairie (40 acres). There is
also a twenty-two acre savanna restoration area.
Forest Glen Preserve serves as the Illinois State Headquarters for the Illinois Native Plant Society (525 members) and the Illinois Walnut Council (130 members). Information on each of these organizations may be obtained by calling (217) 662-2142
Black Walnut in Tree Research
Area
These groups may also be contacted at the Forest Glen address or the Illinois Native Plant Society can be e-mailed at ilnps@aol.com
Forest Glen General Information
Rental buildings for family reunions and picnics are available. Reservations for current calendar year begin with the first workday after January 1st. The rental buildings include:
- Edgewood Center ( enclosed building )
- Maple Grove Lodge ( enclosed building )
- Audubon Barn ( enclosed building )
- Meadowlark Shelter ( open shelter )
- Pine Knoll Shelter ( open shelter )
Fees are determined by group number. For reservations call: 217-662-2142
Back Pack Trail Information and Rules
Required Registration FormPARK HOURS:
Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8 am - 11 p.m.
Daylight Savings Time to Memorial Day: 8 am - 8 p.m.
Labor Day to Standard Time: 8 am - 8 p.m.
End of October to Thanksgiving: 8 am - 8 p.m.
Winter Hours: 8 am - 4:30 p.m.
Mid March to Daylight Savings Time: 8 am - 8 p.m.
There is NO entrance fee to the park. Modern campgrounds are available. See Recreational Opportunities for more information. A current fee schedule and other general information may be received by calling 217-662-2142.
VCCD Library - Located at Staff Office Building at Forest Glen
Subject matter includes natural history, wildlife, forestry, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and much more
Contains over 1,000 volumes
Illinois Native Plant Society library is also located here
HOURS - Monday-Friday; 8 am - 4:30 pm or by appointment
Books are loaned out for 2 weeks. Must be a resident of Vermilion County and present a valid driver's license. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
A 105 foot long
pedestrian covered bridge was
completed in 2002 thanks to the generosity of
the Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation.
Visitors flock to
Forest Glen each spring
in search of the elusive morel mushroom
The Vermilion River
forms the eastern
boundary of Forest Glen Preserve.