While many folks have fond memories of tobogganing in the forest preserves (the runs are gone now, but that’s another story), not to worry. Those same hills are available for sledding! A couple basic rules here: There must be 3-inches of snow and the ground must be frozen for a sled hill to be open. Even then, if a hill is muddy or trashed, FPCC has the right to close it. FPCC says sleds only, no other fancy stuff like snowboards and toboggans. Most importantly, be cool (pun kinda intended) and be mindful of other sledders.
Here are the spots where you can find official sled hills:
With lights, open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Westchester Woods – Cermak Road, east of LaGrange Road near Westchester
- Dan Ryan Woods – 87th Street and Western Avenue on Chicago’s south side
- Swallow Cliff Woods – Route 83 and Mannheim Road near Palos Park (Closed in winter 2014-2015 unfortunately).
- Caldwell Woods – Devon and Milwaukee Avenues on Chicago’s northwest side
- Deer Grove, grove number 5 – Quentin Road, north of Dundee Road near Palatine
- Pioneer Woods– 107th Street, 1/2 mile west of LaGrange Road near Willow Springs
Without lights, open from 10 a.m. to sunset
- Indian Hill Woods – 16th Street and Edgewood Avenue near Chicago Heights
- Indian Road Woods – Central Avenue, 1/2 mile south of Caldwell Avenue on Chicago’s northwest side
- Schiller Woods – Irving Park and Cumberland Avenue near Schiller Park
- Deer Grove, grove number 4 – Quentin Road, north of Dundee Road near Palatine