Fall Colors at Maple Grove Forest Preserve

Join the Morton Arboretum Photographic Society (MAPS) for our October field trip to Maple Grove Forest Preserve—one of the oldest forest preserves in DuPage County and a globally endangered ecosystem. Spanning an 81-acre remnant of the vast historical maple forest that originally gave Downers Grove its name, this site features a dense black maple savanna and upland forest canopy.

Late October puts on a spectacular woodland show here. As the sun filters through the towering sugar maples, the winding dirt trails offer exceptional opportunities for intimate forest landscapes, rich mulch and textured bark macros, and vibrant canopy compression shots.

Logistics & What to Bring

• Meeting & Parking: Please arrive by 8:00 AM. We will meet near the main parking entrance located on the north side of Maple Avenue (0.25 miles east of Belmont Road). (Note: A secondary lot is also available on Gilbert Avenue).
• Preserve Amenities: Accessible portable toilets are located near the parking area.
• Gear Recommendations: Consider bringing a polarizing filter to manage leaf glare, a sturdy tripod for low-angle or deep-woods morning light, and a telephoto lens to isolate high-canopy color transitions.
• Attire & Rules: Dress in layers for a crisp autumn morning and wear sturdy footwear for natural dirt footpaths. 

All MAPS members and guests are welcome!

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