A Magical Night at Cannonsburg Winter Forest
This year, our family decided to check out the Cannonsburg Winter Forest Experience in Rockford, and it was a wonderful evening full of festive fun, twinkling lights, and outdoor adventure! This is a must-do if you're looking for an affordable, family-friendly Christmas light experience that gets everyone outside and moving. Here’s a breakdown of our visit with tips to make your trip just as magical!
Easy Check-In and a Fun Start
Letters to Santa!
We bought our tickets online and filled out the waivers beforehand, making check-in a breeze. If you forget to do the waivers before you arrive though, no worries—they have plenty on-site. There’s even a cute paper for the kids to write letters to Santa while parents fill out the forms.
Check-in is at the same place where you’d get lift tickets, and everyone gets a wristband to wear. The staff was friendly, and everything was well-organized.
Entering the Winter Forest
Once we checked in, we headed over to the entrance of the experience. This is a hiking/mountain biking trail during warmer months, so the terrain is a bit uneven but still very walkable for kids. There were lots of little ones running around, all bundled up and excited! Bonus: Dogs are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry family members!
At the entrance, there were campfires to keep warm and a food stand offering:
Popcorn
S’mores
Hot Chocolate
Water
The wait to enter was quick for us—about 10 minutes—and the kids didn’t complain once. I loved the timed entry system because it kept groups spaced out, making the experience feel relaxed and uncrowded.
The Winter Forest Experience
Inflatable Snow Men at the Winter Forest
As soon as we entered the forest, my youngest was all smiles! The experience is a 1/2 mile loop, and you can go around as many times as you want. We did it once, which took about 30 minutes (we stopped a lot for pictures ). I loved the flexibility of being able to go more than once, but bedtime caught up with us after the first loop!
The trail was filled with:
Twinkling Lights
Christmas Music
Decorations and Inflatables
My kids were obsessed with the inflatables and wanted pictures with every single one! We captured so many fun memories. Their excitement was contagious, and it really felt like a winter wonderland!
Family-Friendly Tips
Here are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your visit:
Restrooms: The bathrooms are inside the lodge, so use them before getting in line for the experience. There aren’t any on the trail itself.
Dress Warmly: Everything is outdoors, so bundle up! We wore snow pants, boots, hats, and gloves. The trail had snow, but it could get muddy if temperatures rise.
No Strollers: The trail isn’t stroller-friendly, but we saw a family pulling a little one in a sled, which looked like so much fun!
Affordable Fun: Tickets are only $10 per person, and kids 2 and under are free!
Photo Opportunities: There are so many great spots for pictures, especially with the inflatables, so have your camera ready!
When to Visit
The Cannonsburg Winter Forest Experience is open Fridays and Saturdays in the evenings before Christmas, so make sure to check it out before the season ends! It’s a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit with your family.
Post-Loop Warm-Up
Campfire at the Cannonsburg Winter Forest
After we finished our loop, we warmed up by the campfire for a few minutes before heading home for hot chocolate. Next time, we might bring some hot cocoa with us to enjoy by the fire!
Final Verdict
Our whole group—two kids and four adults—gave the experience two enthusiastic thumbs up! It’s a perfect outing for all ages and an easy way to make some holiday memories.
With plenty of parking, a festive atmosphere, and a mix of lights, music, and treats, the Cannonsburg Winter Forest Experience is a new favorite for us. If you’re looking for a fun and magical Christmas light adventure, I highly recommend it!
Happy Adventuring!