Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam

09/08/2026

Lots of free programs this week 🌾🤳🏼

09/04/2026

The Chain O’Lakes boat launch is officially open.

09/02/2026

Monarch enjoying some blazing star 💫 the tissues that power the uncoiling and coiling movement of the proboscis are among the most elastic found in nature. Butterflies use internal body pressure (hydrostatic pressure) to pump fluid into the tube, which forces it to straighten out and reach deep inside blossom 🌼

09/02/2026

September Walks with a Naturalist have been scheduled! Join us at Volo Bog, Moraine Hills, and McHenry Dam for guided walks to observe different flora and fauna, and appreciate the natural beauty around us with likeminded folks🌱🦅☀️

Register below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walks-with-a-naturalist-tickets-1999405963058?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

09/02/2026

Do you have curious kiddos who like to follow animal tracks and s**t? Are you interested in being able to identify animal signs? Join us on an animal tracking walk at McHenry Dam on September 10th at 4pm. A fun way to start of your weekend🦝🐍🦉🪳🪱

Register for this free event below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/animal-tracking-walk-tickets-1999522440445?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

09/02/2026

Join us for fall color hikes! 3 dates in October hosted at MHSP🍁

We will be offering guided hikes to observe the beautiful changing colors of leaves in autumn! The first hike on Sept 29 will take place at Volo Bog at 2:30pm, the rest of the hikes will be at Moraine Hills State Park (12 min drive from Volo Bog). We hope to see you🍂🍁🥾

Register for this free event below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-color-walks-tickets-1999525111434?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

09/01/2026

🤳🐍🌻Wondering how to get amazing wildlife and nature shots on your smartphone? Or do you have tips and tricks to share with others? Join us on a guided walk and introductory smartphone photography lesson September 9th* and/or September 17th* at Moraine Hills.📱🐸

*September 9th meets at Kettle Woods Lot.
*September 17th meets at Northern Woods Lot.
(The two sessions will be repeat information, but feel free to come along to both to practice your skills or enjoy the company of other people and being out at our beautiful park!)

All you need is your phone!

Register below for this free event:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smartphone-nature-photography-tickets-1999295817610?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

08/31/2026

Tree frog 🐸 They can shift their skin color within seconds, blending seamlessly from mottled gray to solid green or brown to match nearby tree bark, lichens, or leaves 🍃

08/27/2026

Obedient plant is blooming in the park, can individually rotate each bloom and it’ll stay in place. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love it 🐝🦋

08/25/2026

Following the filing of upgraded charges related to the July 25 fatal boating crash on the Fox River in McHenry County, Illinois Conservation Police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance with the ongoing investigation.
Investigators are specifically seeking to identify a boat, its owner, and its occupants depicted in a bystander video recorded around 11 a.m. on Petite Lake prior to the fatal crash. Although the boat and the occupants are not believed to have been involved in the fatal crash, investigators believe they may have witnessed activity or possess information relevant to the case. The video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Hqgro7mSsdE

Anyone who recognizes the boat or its occupants, or who has additional information, is asked to submit information through the Illinois Conservation Police online tip portal here: dnr2.illinois.gov/OLETIPHotline/. The occupants of the boat in question are being sought solely as potential witnesses; they are not suspected of any wrongdoing.

Contact your local CPO or report an incident on the IDNR website links below. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram

https://dnr2.illinois.gov/OLETIPHotline/
https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/lawenforcement/documents/districtcpophonesandemails.pdf