Lyman Woods County Forest Preserve, park in Downers Grove, United States

Lyman Woods County Forest Preserve is a natural park with woods, a tallgrass prairie, a marsh, and a small wetland in Downers Grove, United States. The trails are packed earth and narrow, crossing small wooden footbridges and passing through clusters of old oaks, benches, and open clearings before reaching a hilltop with long views over the treetops.

The land was bought by Reverend Orange Lyman and his wife Marcia in 1839, and their 19th-century farm operated here for generations. In 1987, after years of use for farming and later as private open space, the village and park district acquired the property to protect the woods.

The William F. Sherman Interpretive Center has a living beehive behind glass where visitors can watch bees moving through their comb. Outside the center, the gardens show rain water being filtered through native plant beds, giving an everyday example of how local yards can handle runoff.

Wear sturdy shoes because the paths are natural dirt and can be uneven after rain. The route is easy enough for a relaxed walk, with shaded sections in summer and open prairie areas that get hot and sunny, so carrying water is a good idea.

A gravel hill left by glaciers, called a kame, rises inside the preserve and supports a mix of prairie plants and oaks that differs from the flatter woods around it. From its top, the surrounding buildings disappear behind the tree line, creating a sudden sense of being far from the neighboring roads.