A Tortoise Is Your Guide At This Hidden Illinois Forest, Complete With A Bridge, Secret Cabin, Camping, And More

The Prairie State is full of some of the most incredible parks and gardens in the country — from buffalo roaming fields of wildflowers to stunning cascading waterfalls. Growing up in the rural countryside of DeKalb County, Illinois, I was fortunate enough to have an incredible natural resource within a mile of my home. Set off from the highway, it often felt like a treasure all our own. While many have likely driven by its entrance unknowingly, this hidden forest in Genoa, Illinois is a must-visit for nature lovers.

Russell Woods is a 126-acre forest preserve located just off Route 72 between the small towns of Genoa and Kingston. Though a sign alerts passersby to its entrance, the forest itself is tucked back among a sea of corn and can be easily missed if you don't know it's there.

The park offers a number of excellent walking, hiking, and sightseeing trails. The preserve is part of the G2K trail, which extends from Carroll Park in Genoa to the village of Kingston.

The mighty Kishwaukee River flows through the forest, noted as a "unique aquatic resource" by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The river is a prime site for fishing and canoeing, and contains an abundance of wetland species, like native freshwater mussels.

On the other side of the river, there's also a low wet woodland area about 60 feet down from a bluff.

A wooden bridge that spans the river is a favorite spot for photography, reflection, and bird watching.

Camping is also available at the preserve, as well as open fields for playing, playgrounds, enclosed shelters, picnic areas, and access for cross-country skiing. Amenities like restrooms and water are also available on-site.

The park is also home to the Natural Resources Education Center, which is headed by professionals from the University of Illinois Extension Outdoor Education Program. Each year, the nature center serves more than 5,000 classroom visitors, who come to learn about the environment, and...

...meet TJ the Tortoise! This fancy fella is more than 20 years old and serves as a teaching tool for those considering buying an exotic pet. Plus, he makes a pretty cool mascot!

Another hidden gem: the Hoppe Heritage Farmstead, which includes 60 acres of native plants and nationally-recognized wetlands, as well as the recreation of an 1845 Miller-Elwood log cabin, which was named after some of the area's earliest and most influential settlers.

Not only will you find beautiful naturescapes here, but also whimsical woodworking, making the space feel even more enchanted.

In the winter, the park's iconic sledding hill is the place to be. A huge slope takes you down to a wide landing surrounded by trees — then it's a hike back up the rubber-tire steps to the top!

So, would you visit this hidden forest in Genoa, Illinois? What activity would you want to do first? Have another go-to local forest preserve? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip now by checking out the Russell Woods website and Hoppe Heritage Farmstead website. And while you're headed there, why not make it a full day trip to the charming town of Genoa? Spend the day with a local winery, family-owned coffee shop, cute architecture, great diners, and a local history museum!