Tubing season extended at Blackwell Forest Preserve
Sun Staff February 28, 2013 8:08PM
A father and son enjoy some tubing at Blackwell Forest Preserve near Naperville/ | Submitted
Updated: April 2, 2013 6:34AM
The recent wintry weather has had a positive side efffect: Tubing season will continue through this weekend.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County said it will stage one last weekend of tubing at the tubing hill at Mount Hoy at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville.
The hill normally operates through the end of February, but the season has been extended so that visitors can enjoy the recent snowfall and have some winter outdoor fun.
As long as weather conditions allow a 3-inch base of snow to remain on the hill, Mount Hoy will be open for tubing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Mount Hoy offers ides down an 800-foot run, one of the longest in the area. And, new this year, the facility will also offer rental snowshoes for trail trekkers to explore Blackwell by foot. Only Forest Preserve District inner tubes are permitted on Mount Hoy and cost $5 per tube per day. Snowshoes cost $5 for two hours or $10 per day. Tube rentals end at 3:30 p.m., and snowshoe rentals end at 2 p.m.
Visitors should call to the recorded snow-conditions message at 630-871-6422 to verify that the hill will operate. The main entrance to Blackwell Forest Preserve is located on Butterfield Road about one-half mile west of Winfield Road.
