Bald Eagles Visit Park Near Historic Route 66

Located just a short drive from Joliet’s stretch of Route 66, The Forest Preserve District of Will County invites guests of all ages to experience birds of prey up close at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center’s Eagle Watch.

As the rivers freeze over, bald eagles head to the open waters around Four Rivers. Guests are invited to celebrate these exceptional birds of prey at a free, all-ages, event. Held Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, this Eagle Watch will feature guided hikes, live bird presentations, Talon Talks, family activities and more. Ongoing activities will include family crafts, an Eagle Eye Scavenger Hunt and food from Lil’ Deb’s Mobile Eats.

Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center presentations

• 11 a.m.: Live bird presentation (45 minutes)
  
• 12:30 p.m.: Meet and greet (20 minutes)
  
• 1:30 p.m.: Live bird presentation (45 minutes)
  

Guided hikes (40 minutes)

• 11:50 a.m.
  
• 12:55 p.m.
  
• 2:20 p.m.
  

Talon Talks (15 minutes)

• Noon: Eagles of the World
  
• 2:30 p.m.: Eagle Eyes and Other Awesome Adaptations
  

No pre-registration is required, simply show up and enjoy these free presentations. This is an inclusive program, welcoming of individuals of all abilities. Please use caution as snow and ice may be present on the trails and parking lots. The hikes will be up to 0.5 mile, all on a paved trail. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should mention their request when registering or submit a request online at recconectwithnature.org no later than 48 hours before the program.

Four Rivers Environmental Educational Center is located at 25055 S Walnut Ln, Channahon. For more information, and to see more upcoming natural events, visit: ReconnectWithNature.org

Looking for more natural areas to explore along Route 66? Consider planning a trip to these scenic outdoor spaces this winter.

I&M Canal State Trail - Access Huse Lake near Joliet St. and IL Rt. 351

Running through three counties – Will, Grundy and LaSalle – the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail is one of the most historic natural spaces along the Route 66 corridor. On the popular biking and hiking trail, visitors can enjoy fishing and other activities along this mid-19th century waterway. Popular winter activities include snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Lake Renwick Preserve - 15425 Joliet Rd, Plainfield

Located just off Historic Route 66 in Plainfield, Lake Renwick Preserve is home to a sprawling 200-acre lake and wetland habitat. Birders flock to the Heron Rookery Nature Preserve each year to marvel at herons, egrets and cormorants, bald eagles and hundreds of eclectic winter waterfowl. Access to Heron Rookery Nature Preserve is limited on a seasonal basis, but Lake Renwick’s Copley Nature Park and Turtle Lake Access areas remain open year-round.

Hammel Woods - 554 Brook Forest Ave., Shorewood

Located directly on Old Route 66 in Shorewood, Illinois, Hammel Woods provides tubing, canoeing and kayaking down the picturesque DuPage River. Visitors can enjoy a run along the park’s 1.6 miles of natural surface trails. Additional activities permitted at the park include cycling, hiking, running, in-line skating, fishing and cross-country skiing when weather permits. Covered shelters can accommodate 25 on a first-come basis with no need for a permit. If you’re a fan of geocaching, Hammel Woods is a great place to stop for a quick hunt.

Des Plaines Dolomite Prairies Land and Water Reserve - 24621 N. River Rd, Wilmington

With a free skeet shooting and archery range, Des Plaines Dolomite Prairies Land and Water Reserve is a unique and diverse sporting park. With over 5,000 acres of land and 2,000 of water, there is plenty of room to enjoy your favorite pastimes, like horseback riding, personal watercraft and boating. The Des Plaines Dolomite Prairies Land and Water Reserve is known as an excellent spot for hunting and fishing, provided you have all the necessary licensing to do so. The park also features a peaceful selection of on-site camping, which can be reserved online in advance.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - 30239 S. State Route 53, Wilmington

Explore The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, the single largest open space in Illinois, managed by the U.S. Forest Service and recognized as a U.S. National Grassland. Bison were reintroduced back on the prairie in October 2015, making this gorgeous plot of prairie even more authentic. While it’s not guaranteed, every visit offers the opportunity to see these elusive animals as they roam throughout the preserve. Note: the visitors center will be closed until January 27.

Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area - Rt. 53 and E. Huston Rd, Braceville/Braidwood

Get your hunt on at Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area, one of the nation’s foremost destinations for public fossil hunting. Findings have included marine fossils, such as jellyfish, worms and the infamous Tully Monster, with Mazon Creek fossils holding prominent places in some of the most important fossil collections in the world. The famous Pit 11, the largest and most productive fossil area in the park, is still accessible to the public (open October to April, provided you’ve signed the correct permit). This open area encompasses a few thousand acres of rocky terrain, so make sure you dress accordingly; wear sturdy shoes, head coverings and bring a backpack or bucket for your findings.