Danada County Forest Preserve, Nature reserve and park in Naperville, Illinois, US
Danada County Forest Preserve is a nature reserve and protected area on the west side of Naperville, Illinois, covering forests, prairies, wetlands, and open fields. A network of wide limestone trails connects the different sections, including Rice Lake, Parson's Grove, and the historic Danada House.
The land belonged to Dan and Ada Rice from the late 1920s, who ran a farm with orchards and livestock on the property. Ada had a passion for horses, and the family later built racing stables modeled after famous Kentucky barns, where young thoroughbreds were trained.
The grounds are closely tied to horse culture, and that connection is still visible today. At the Danada Equestrian Center, visitors can watch horses in the pastures and sometimes take part in guided activities around the animals.
The main entrance is on the west side of Naperville Road, about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Butterfield Road. The wide limestone trails are manageable with a stroller, and the parking area near the equestrian center has plenty of space for cars.
A short footpath that branches off the main trail leads up a small hill with a clear view over Rice Lake and the surrounding woods. The section around Parson's Grove is heavily shaded and stays noticeably cooler than the open fields even on warm days.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
