# Swallow Cliff Woods: 100-Foot Bluff Sled Hill & Winter Stair Challenge

> Event for families in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin area (IL / IN). Times are Central Time.

- When: Dec 1 – Mar 1 · 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Where: Swallow Cliff Woods (Palos Preserves), 11918 S La Grange Rd (US-45 & Route 83), Palos Park, IL 60464
- Ages: All ages; steep 100-foot bluff sled hill with floodlit evening sledding; 125 historic limestone stairs; warming pavilion on site
- Price: Free admission and sledding; Free parking (must bring your own plastic sled or saucer; no metal runners, snowboards, or tubes)
- Organizer: Forest Preserves of Cook County
- Official page: https://fpdcc.com
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/swallow-cliff-woods-100-foot-bluff-sled-hill-and-winter-stair-challeng--listing-ea61401d6796406528051d37

## About

Swallow Cliff Woods in Palos Park is home to the most iconic and dramatic sledding hill in Cook County. Created by glaciers thousands of years ago, the preserve's towering 100-foot bluff once held famous CCC wooden toboggan runs. Today, it serves as a sprawling, fast-paced sled hill equipped with powerful floodlights for evening sledding under the stars.

Next to the sled slope, the historic 125 limestone steps built in 1930 provide a legendary winter workout for active parents and teens. Sledding is completely free (bring your own plastic sled or saucer; metal runners and tubes are prohibited). The stone pavilion shelter at the base offers heated restrooms and a cozy place to catch your breath after conquering the bluff.

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