Finding the Perfect Picnic Grove

If you are looking for a place to have the perfect picnic, Huntley is centrally located to large parks, neighborhood parks and picturesque forest preserves.

Huntley Patch has gathered details on a few spots you may consider for your next picnic:

Huntley’s Neighborhood Parks

Huntley Park District

The park district has a half dozen neighborhood parks, along with Deicke Park, that provide the perfect setting for a picnic. Some of the parks abut natural areas while others feature ponds, where you can catch and release small fish. Explore a park in a neighboring subdivision or your very own neighborhood. The park district provides a complete list of these parks on its website.

Binnie Forest Preserve

Kane County Forest Preserve District

Binnie preserve has a fully serviced, cedar picnic shelter with a fireplace. It is ideal for family picnics. Reservations are required. There's a two-acre field adjacent to the shelter and numerous walking trails throughout the preserve. For more details and directions, click here to the forest preserve’s website

The Freeman Kame-Meaagher Farm

Kane County Forest Preserve District

The preserve includes is some of Kane County's most beautiful topography, the forest preserve's website states. There is a panorama of habitats ranging from the spectacular to the cozy secluded nooks, according to the forest preserve’s website. There is a picnic shelter on the site. For more information, click here.

Hampshire Forest Preserve

Kane County Forest Preserve District

Hampshire Forest Preserve has been a natural playground and picnic spot for area children and adults throughout the years, according to the forest preserve's website. There are trails for hiking and it is a good spot for bird-watching. An oak-hickory forest adorns the crest of this glacial moraine, the site states. This ridge topped with oaks once stood as an island in a sea of prairie and prairie wetlands, according to the site. For more information, click here.

Pleasant Valley Conservation Area

McHenry County Conservation District

This Woodstock preserve has many recreation activities, including five miles of hiking and picnic shelters. For more information, click here.

Exner Marsh Conservation Area

McHenry County Conservation District

This area has more than 100 acres of marshland that provides a rich habitat for plants and animals, according to the district’s website. There are hiking trails and picnic facilities. A shelter is available for use, but reservations are required. For more details, click here.