Herrick Lake Forest Preserve by Patricia Hayden
The main entrance to Herrick Lake is on the south side of Butterfield Road about 2 miles west of Naperville Road. When you turn into the main entrance, you can turn left or right in the parking lot. I turned left and parked near the “Information” sign. The parking lot is very large and has multiple handicapped parking spots. The information sign contained some maps of the area as well as a coyote habitat notice. Near the information sign is a concession building with washrooms, a picnic shelter, and several racks of canoes and kayaks available to rent from May through September.
The trail that is closest to the information sign is the “Lake” trail – a loop around Herrick Lake approximately .08 miles in length consisting of limestone and asphalt. I veered left onto that trail and started my walk. It was a hot and humid day, but there were a lot of people there fishing, running, and walking.
The majority of the trail is flat, but there are some uneven spots to watch out for. I really like the trail markers interspersed along the route – very easy to read – and very helpful since there are multiple trails. As I walked I saw several piers and bridges, another picnic shelter along with many picnic tables scattered about. There’s also a very interesting sign about glacier-formed lakes which is how Herrick Lake came to be.
The lake itself is beautiful and contains largemouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, black bullhead, crappie, sunfish, and carp. You must carry a valid Illinois fishing license and there is no ice fishing allowed.
Also along my walk I spotted Chicory, Broadleaf cattail, Sweet Joe-Pye weed, Easter white pine, Siberian crab apple, and Black walnut.
More information about the site can be found here: https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/herrick-lake.
This post is part of the “Take a Hike” series by Patricia Hayden. To learn more about this blog and see information about all other featured hikes click here.
To make it even more fun, we’re launching the Take-A-Hike Challenge!
The challenge is open to everyone. From May through October 2025, simply take the month’s featured hike whenever your schedule allows. Capture a photo of one of the points of interest mentioned in that month’s column, then either:
Post your photo on the Greater DuPage Wild Ones Facebook page, or
Email it to [email protected].
Each hike you complete will be recorded in our challenge log. All participants will be recognized at our Seed Exchange in November!
We hope this inspires you to lace up your shoes, hit the trails, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.