Just outside the southeastern corner of Harvard, Illinois lies the Rush Creek Conservation Area. These 726 acres of forest, woodlands, wetlands, and grassland meadows feature 2 miles of various closed-loop hiking trails as well as 5.7 miles of horseback trails and a 2.2 miles snowmobile run.
Rush Creek, after which it is named, has a 1-mile stretch along the northern border and connects to a number of brooks that run through parts of the area. There is also one man-made 4-acre fishing pond that was created by the Burrows brothers, one of the original families that settled in the area, along with a number of much smaller, seasonal ponds scattered through the area.
Much of the area is still wooded, though walnut trees were harvested from the area to be used for gun stocks for WWI. Ultimately, the war ended before the logs were shipped off for production.
While the area remains open year-round from sunrise to sunset, it is one of the few areas within the McHenry County Conservation District that is closed during hunting season. Currently, this runs from November 19th through the 21st.
Learn more about the Rush Creek Conservation Area and access Rush Creek Trail Map here.
Address: 20501 McGuire Rd, Harvard, IL 60033
Entrance sign at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
Picnic shelter under an autumn display. 
Hiking path leading to group campground at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
Fleeting fall colors. 
Water pump in the group campground area at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
Trail map and information for Rush Creek. 
Full autumn display. 
Bird houses among the grasses. 
Standing alone. 
Deep, rich, late fall colors at Rush Creek Conservation Area.
Facilities
Toward the entrance of the park is a special horse trailer parking lot. Here, riders can easily enter the horse trails that run much of the perimeter of the Rush Creek Conservation Area, including a section that runs along and crosses over Rush Creek. Be sure to check ahead though to confirm the access status of the horse trails before going.
There are three other general parking lots, including the main parking lot across from the pond, a general picnicking lot, and the lot for the covered picnic shelter. The picnic shelter is also available for reservations.
A fourth parking lot is for the group campground area, which can also be reserved and features 6 camping sites.
Clouds reflected in the pond at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
Man-made pond with benches for relaxing or fishing. 
Water pump near main parking lot. 
Bridge leading to hiking trail off main parking lot. 
Main hiking trail from main parking lot. 
Red, orange, and yellow in a sea of blue. 
A wizard perhaps. 
Have a seat. Rest. Reflect. 
Brilliant colors with sun peeking from behind the tree. 
Bridges over the stream beds at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
Canopy of fall over the trail. 
Nature’s stained glass.
Fall color palette. 
Nature’s juxtapositioning…washed white aside deep red. 
Mostly bare birch tree at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
A small bit of water in a pond leading into a dried up stream. 
Anyone home? 
We’ve gathered here together… 
Bonus water pump that isn’t on the trail map…can you find it?! 
Nature’s art. 
A patchwork of light and dark through the woods. 
Organic sculpture. 
Passing of time. 
Intertwined.
History
The area that has become the Rush Creek Conservation Area began in 1942 when eight acres were preserved through cooperation between the Diggins Estate, which was one of the early families that settled the area, the Soil Conservation Service, the Illinois Department of Conservation, and the McHenry County Soil and Conservation District. This effort was one of the earliest wildlife conservation demonstration areas in Illinois.
The Conservation District purchased 155 acres from the Burrows brothers in 1974. Subsequent acquisitions up through 1981 have yielded what currently makes up the Rush Creek Conservation Area.
A blanket of leaves. 
Guiding light. 
Tweet tweet. 
Rich reddish-orange leaves at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
Like rich leather. 
I spy a fly. 
A blossom of branches. 
Multi-toned display. 
Blue and tan. 
Bouquet of red and green. 
Large rocks in the dried-up streambed at Rush Creek Conservation Area. 
Every leaf has a story.
President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.
