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Sugar River Forest Preserve

The Sugar River Forest Preserve is a nature preserve located in Durand, Illinois. It is a part of the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District and is managed by the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District. The preserve is located along the Sugar River and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, beaver, muskrat, and a variety of birds. The preserve also features a variety of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are also picnic areas and fishing spots available. The preserve is open year-round and is free to the public.

Amenities

- Recreational Facilities

• River
• Fishing
• Ramp
• Body Of Water (Sugar River)
• Horseshoes
• Playground
• Kayaking/Canoeing

- Policies

• Pets Welcome
• Day Max Stay (14)
• Tent Camping Allowed
• No Reservations

- Other Amenities & Services

• Restroom and Showers

- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)

• Hiking

- Facility

• Type (Public Park)
• Partial Handicap Access

- On-Site Rentals

• 

- Sites

• Spaces Available (82)
• Max Length (30)
• Grass Sites (82)
• 30 Amp
• 50 Amp
• Electric (63)
• No Hookups (25)
• Max Amps (50)
• Back-ins (15 x 30)

User Reviews

Daniel Bird

September 04, 2025

This is a great place to come camp in the area for a weekend. It's only a 20 minute drive from my house but feels like we're hours away. It is usually very quiet (but depends on who's camping next to you). I've only camped at the primitive campground. About half of the 12 primitive sites are on the river, the other half close to the river, but your camp site will not adjoin the river. The pit toilets and water pump are within a very reasonable walking distance from the primitive sites. The sites are kept clean and the park attendants have always been very cordial and helpful. The price for a resident for the primitive sites are only $15/night. Firewood is $8/bundle. (2025 prices). The ground is very level, smooth and stone free in my experience, which makes pitching a tent super easy. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are plenty of mosquitoes, so be sure to bring your bug spray and apply it liberally. Once we did that, we didn't have too much of a problem, but we definitely did go home with a few bites, a fair price to pay for the experience and memories made. There is a hiking trail that routes right past the sites so you may have hikers walking fairly close to your sites, but in my experience everyone has either left us alone or been super kind and respectful.

Denise Buse

July 06, 2025

You want a beautiful place to enjoy family friends and nature and good place to fish and just enjoy the fresh air sugar river is where you want to be

Jane Gorsline

May 29, 2025

Enjoyed camping here among the tall pines after Memorial Day.

Dan Pfluger

June 04, 2023

The sites are level and spacious. Plus you can go tubing on the river. A great service ,Sugar River adventures picks you up at the campground and you float down back to the campground. I'd go back again.

Cuppy

April 13, 2022

Love coming to this place every once in a while. Looking forward to maybe camping there this summer. The trails are well kept and overall friendly to walk on. it's always full of wildlife whenever I go. Spring peepers make the area sound so alive this time of year. I took lots of photos for my photography class this week.

Map for Sugar River Forest Preserve

Contact information