5.0Garden of the Gods(409 reviews) - Stupidity at its Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
The park itself is beautiful and well worth the visit. We didn’t get there until 10:15 due to the number of hours we had to travel and it was already packed with cars circling around looking for a parking space. The trails are mostly paved with flat stones and the view once on the trail is spectacular. The stupid part starts with the number of people climbing the rocks and taking unnecessary chances. One kid about 7-years-old jumped off of a high cliff and I thought he was a goner but luckily jumped down to a ledge a few feet down. He was on a cliff hundreds of feet high when he made the decision to do this. The signs warn of people falling off the cliffs and falling to their death.See more..
4.5Busse Woods Trail System(187 reviews) - Clean and beautiful walking n bike trails Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Happened to stumble uptown this park during my weekend trip to Chicago and fell in love with this long trail amidst city of Schaumburg. Ton of picnic areas, rest rooms and very well marked trails. Ton of bikers and walkers and well shaded areas as well. Only downside was that dog walkers did not clean up after their pets. The place really sticks up because of their negligence. See more..
4.5Lincoln Memorial Garden(144 reviews) - Great Place for a Pleasant Walk in Nature Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
A native woodland garden designed by Jens Jensen located on the south side of Lake Springfield. This 100 acre site has 6 miles of wood-chipped hiking trails as well as a wonderful nature center.See more..
This extraordinary forest preserve is worth a visit any time of the year. Becuase of this season's heavy snowfalls, not all of the paths had been cleared. You could tell from tracks in the snow that this did not stop visitors with appropriate footwear from striking out across the terrain. During this particular visit, ice skating was forbidden, but ice fishing was going on. I couldn't resist taking photos of groups of fisherpeople scattered across the lake -- some drilling holes as I watched. The thaw is coming. Because this property is so large and has so much parking, it is very easy to social distance during your visit. See earlier reviews for more details (May 9, 2020; July 18, 2017; and September 4, 2016).See more..
4.0Wildlife Prairie Park(140 reviews) - Will Definitely be Going Back Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
Wildlife Prairie Park has often been referred to as a jewel in the Midwest. Located in Hanna City, Illinois, just outside of Peoria, this 2,000-acre zoological park is home to over 150 animals/50 different species that are native to Illinois. Our guests come to learn about wolves, bison, waterfowl, black bear, elk, cougar, otter and much more. Since its inception, Wildlife Prairie Park has promoted its mission of conservation, education and recreation. Please visit us and witness the spectacular natural landscape, view native wildlife, and participate in many forms of recreation. We have something to offer to all ages. An adventure awaits...See more..
4.5Horseshoe Mound(138 reviews) - Awesome hike, very beautiful Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
My boyfriend and I decided to have a weekend getaway at The Goldmoor. We both enjoy being outdoors so even though there isn’t much you can do in Galena at the moment with COVID-19 restrictions, hiking was a good alternative for us. Horseshoe mound preserve is absolutely beautiful and very clean! The drive up to the parking area is a lot of fun too, I would definitely recommend a 4WD vehicle to make it smoother. We both really enjoyed the hike, it’s very hilly and gives you a great workout! There are a lot of amazing views to see at this place. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves nature.See more..
4.5Spring Valley(120 reviews) - Bison Bluff Nature Park a "Must-See"! Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
The Spring Valley Nature Center recently opened a brand new park celebrating the Bison. What an amazing experience! The park has streams, waterfall that guests are encouraged to wade in and experience. There are several rock climbing features, slides, climbing nets ... An unbelievable experience for kids I would guess between the ages of 4 and 12, although I enjoyed hopping from rock to rock in one of the streams. There are also areas where you can grab a patch of grass so be sure to plan a picnic. I would also recommend bringing a second set of clothes because no kid can resist the water features. Also water shoes or sandals that can get wet would be a great accessory. And if you still have energy after the park, enjoy the walking trails. Kudos to Schaumburg for building a unique playing experience!See more..
5.0Aikman Wildlife Adventure(118 reviews) - Unexpected Animal Exhibit in Central Illinois Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos
Zebras in the midwest??!! YES!! Aikman Wildlife Adventure is a wildlife sanctuary located in Arcola, Illinois. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of life possible to all wildlife in need, while maintaining a family friendly environment through interaction, education, conservation and by creating an experience of a lifetime for all our guests. Come out to enjoy 200 animals and 75 different species! Drive through our park in your own vehicle to see all of our bigger animals, then take a stroll in our Walk-Thru to visit our small animals, predators, and petting zoo. If you love animals and are ready for an adventure of a lifetime, come out and see for yourself why our place is so unique and special! Hours vary depending on weather.See more..
4.5Three Oaks Recreation Area(115 reviews) - Love this Beach Saturday: 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
This is my favorite beach in Crystal lake. It has a lovely swimming area and is well guarded for safety. There is an island with a bridge to it that you can either walk to or swim to and just rest under a nice gazebo. There is also a raft out in the deep water. on the beach there is a play area with a splash pad and swings, etc. The best part is you can get ice cream from Culvers on the deck. My children and grand child just love this place! See more..
We only stopped for an hour or so. There is a small fee but our NPS pass covered it. We saw two deer (a buck and a doe). There are large lakes where we saw white pelicans,ducks,cranes and several other waterfowl. There are a pair of eagles nests . It is probably the nicest wildlife refuge we have visited See more..
4.5Willowbrook Wildlife Center(68 reviews) - Educational and Wild! Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
I am partial to this Center as I have volunteered here on and off for over 10 years. It's where I learned SO MUCH about native species of flora and fauna, for free! I have kept many wonderful friendships through the years of volunteering here. Willowbrook rehabilitates injured and orphaned native wildlife and releases them back to the wild when recovered or fully grown. A great place. A great experience. If you have one morning or afternoon a week to spare I highly recommend that you look into volunteering here. You'll be so glad you did!See more..
Finding that near Joliet Illinois, there was this Nature Preserve call Madeline National Tallgrass Prairie that looked interesting for bird watching. We arrived and found the visitor Center was closed due to the recent viral pandemic. Outside the building, they were Maps I'm like to see there. All the trails were open and you could hike wherever you liked. We decided to go and check out the Bison View. Nothing was actually there at that view, but we did find them a ways off under the only tree in the field. It was Plus 90 degrees on that day and I would imagine that was their only relief. We also hiked around a bit on the Prairie and in the woods and found many unusual Birds. I wish we had had more time to take in this wonderful property. It was a joy to be there just the short time. Someday, I want to return and spend the entire day. There was no cost involved and it wasn't crowded in the least.See more..
We were SO glad we drove the couple miles south of downtown to this beautiful park. We were treated to 100s of American pelicans(we think) floating on the Mississippi River air currents. We walked our leashed dog through the trails of wild flowers. It was just gorgeous. See more..
Really enjoyed out hike at rim rock. Highlights were fat man squeeze and the ox lot cave. It is a pretty easy hike, a bit of climbing down to get into the canyon and then back up at the end, but rest was pretty flat. Really enjoyed our visit. If you are running short on time, don't worry about the hike to the lake.See more..
4.5Deer Grove Forest Preserve(52 reviews) - A variety of recreational opportunities in Nature Nature & Wildlife Areas
I visited Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine on a beautiful Fall day in November. The preserve offers a myriad of different activities to connect with nature. The preserve is in two units, East and West. Deer Grove West is a heavily wooded area and the main trail here is a mountain bike or hiking loop trail which is about a six-mile long. Deer Grove East is more open with prairies, shaded savannas and wetlands. The main trail here is a relatively flat 2.8-mile paved loop trail. Well crafted interpretive spur trails branch off this trail drawing the visitor’s attention to different basic nature themes: land, sky, and water. Deer Grove is absolutely worth a visit. Ample parking and picnic shelters are available. See more..
4.5Ferne Clyffe State Park(51 reviews) - Amazing park Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Traveling through the area we spent two days here. Amazing hiking and campground is beautiful. Highly recommend if your in the area to stop and stay or at least spend the day there hiking the many trails and seeing the multitude of waterfalls. See more..
4.5Wildlife Discovery Center(48 reviews) - A day trip in Lake Forest at the animal discovery center Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
We had a great time here in July of 2017. The staff was kind and helpful and informative! They treated both the animals and Humans with great care. We got to see them feeding Bob the Bob Kit and Arty the armadillo. My daughter and I went there as a day trip while in town for her husband’s Navy graduation. She was pregnant at the time with her first child we had to walk a ways on the paths but, it was worth it. We had a good time and got up real close to all the animals. It was kept clean and we were able to see the reptiles in the amphibians and quite a few more things!See more..
4.5Volo Bog State Natural Area(46 reviews) - Nature lovers heaven Saturday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
This is a unique State Natural Area that was created when the Wisconsin Glacier retreated over 12,000 years ago. Many see it as a wonderful place to hike the great trails but it is so much more than that. It is a wonderful location for bird enthusiasts, it has an amazing assortment of wildflowers (in season) and other wetland plants you are unlikely to see at most State or National Parks. They have an outstanding staff and the Bog tours, scheduled bird walks, naturalist hiking tours and astronomy groups are scheduled on a regular basis. Be sure to call ahead if you want to join one of the organized groups or just show up if you would like to check it out yourself. This is a "must see" for the nature lover that is willing to look a bit closer to everything that is available at this fabulous State Natural Area.. and it is all free.See more..
5.0Red Oak Nature Center(40 reviews) - Get a piece of nature... Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
I love to visit the Center - always have things happening - visit the animal room, see the observation hive, grab a pair of binoculars and view the birds from a distance. Great trails, and always activities going on. Very scenic view of the Fox River from the observation deck, high above the river! Check out Devil's Cave too!See more..
Rock Springs Center is not just a beautiful and peaceful place to be in nature. They offer a very nice visitors' center and frequent activities. It's one of Decatur's gems! I really enjoy walking my dog on the trails and also the folk music once a month on Sundays.See more..
This campground is fantastic! Very clean, peaceful & beautiful. During the day, I'd heard a couple of trains in the distance, but nothing bothersome. I brought my dog and camper for a few nights here. My site is on the small tributary of the Mississippi river, and my view is incredible. The waterway has water lilies, cranes, redwing black birds, turtles, fish and so much more. My site is a level paved electric site for only $20/night and I'd reserved online. There are walking trails nearby, Thomson townsite is just outside the park gates, so super convenient. The park rangers and camp hosts have been very friendly. I will definitely return!See more..
Camp sites were spaced far apart. Good views of lake but not great, bushes along shore blocked much of the view. Close to interstate and town. From where we camped you could see the traffic on the interstate. The way the loops are arranged you don't see a lot of traffic from other campers. Having a Walmart and Rural King close by was good. Very nice campground but not great. Would rate it 8 out of 10.See more..
4.5Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve(33 reviews) - A good place to spend an afternoon. Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests
The Fort Sheridan Preserve was a great find. We visited on a windy day so maybe not as many people as usual. Enjoyed wandering on the trails, looking at the rocks on the shore and learning history of the area. We visited the cemetery and were surprised at the time span military personnel have been interred there. It's a small cemetery but with history spanning from cavalry to present day. This was very interesting place and well worth spending g an afternoon. With paved sidewalks as well as grass trails, there is something for everyone. See more..
4.0Olney City Park(29 reviews) - White squirrels not easy to find Nature & Wildlife Areas • Playgrounds
First of all this is a nice simple city park. We had a picnic at a shelter. People were wandering around looking for white squirrels with no luck. We gave up and enjoyed the perfect October day. After a while we spotted a single white squirrel scampering high in a walnut tree. A couple drove over from Indy - they had been looking for awhile. They shared in our find. Later we saw a second white squirrel. Grey squirrels are a plenty. See more..
5.0Cache River State Natural Area(28 reviews) - Northern most point for cypress and tupelo swamp Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
State-owned and managed nature reserve consisting of 11,768 acres of wetlands including bald cypress and tupelo gum swamps.See more..
4.5Little Grand Canyon(28 reviews) - Hike of a lifetime Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Canyons • Geologic Formations • Waterfalls
For a friends bachelorette party 8 of us hiked the Little Grand Canyon. There was a major thunderstorm the night before we hiked the trail. The rocks were slick but with trekking poles it was easier than anticipated with the rain. There are steps carved into the canyon where you climb up and down and this helped a lot. This has to be one of my favorite hikes I’ve ever done. The views were so beautiful. I would not bring children or dogs on the trail it would be too difficult. Also, be prepared to get wet. There were spots where the water was ankle to shin deep and we had to cross it. This is an amazing trail, just be safe and know your abilities/limits. See more..
5.0Little Red Schoolhouse(27 reviews) - Fall trails Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
On Willow Springs Road, by 107th, with free parking, 2 buildings to tour for free (one is the original red schoolhouse). The new facility has bathrooms, a table indie to sit at, great areas for kids for interactive play, and wonderfully done displays. There are owls and hawks in outdoor enclosures. Multiple trails of varying lengths well labelled, and fall displays. Well worth a trip this fall. See more..
Lately I have become interested in a Japanese outdoor wellness practice called "shinrin-yoku". It translates as "to bathe in the atmosphere of forest" and provides stress relief and relaxation. The tranquil paths of Ryerson are the perfect location for this. Park at Brushwood or the Visitors' Center and choose a path into the Conservation Center. You will immediately find yourself in quiet surroundings where you can easily expand your connection to nature through your senses. I have been coming to Ryerson for decades, but COVID-restricted lifestyle changes have made me appreciate this place even more. Perhaps I'll see you there. I'll be the one in the "Ryerson helped me survive the pandemic" T-shirt. See my earlier reviews (January 12, 2013; October 39, 2016; October 14, 2019; and April 16, 2020) for more details.See more..
4.5Nachusa Grasslands(22 reviews) - Spotted some Bison! Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nachusa Grasslands is a success story all to it's own. Between the large expanses of native Illinois prairie plants and large Bison herd, there is plenty to see here. The Bison are in a fenced in area, north of the park. Best seen along Stonebarn Road, Flagg Road or Lowden Road. Seeing the Bison is really the luck of the draw as the area they are in is very large and there are alot of draws and knobs that they can be hidden in. My suggestion is to drive the roads mentioned above and be patient. They do roam around alot so a couple hours of patience can really pay off. We ended up seeing them from Flagg road.See more..
4.5Skokie Lagoons(21 reviews) - beautiful nature preserve Bodies of Water • Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Currently there are no permanent restrooms or drinking fountains. When the new, full-service boathouse is built, it will have those amenities plus canoe and kayak rental, outdoor tables, etc. Meanwhile, enjoy in season the trails and paths, fishing, bird watching, model boat area, cross-country skiing, dog-friendly areas, canoe and kayak use, and so on. This area was a huge marsh which was part of the traditional lands of the Ojibwa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes. These native lands were ceded to the federal government by a series of treaties. The Cook County Forest Preserve system acquired the land in 1920. The seven lagoons were created by public works projects that began during the Depression in order to control flooding, eliminate a serious mosquito problem, and increase recreational opportunities. See my August 2017 review for more details.See more..
4.5Rock Springs Park(21 reviews) - A nice place to take a walk Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
This was a very nice park to take a walk along their trails. The path is wide enough to have a dividing line down the center so that traffic can go both ways. A good portion of the outer trail is in the shade. There are a few non-paved trails off of the main loop that we did not explore. Look at a map prior to going to be sure you know where you will be turning to get back to the park. It is a residential street with a small sign indicating to turn there. It would be lovely to live in that neighborhood and have such a park just down the street. There is also a playground and plenty of parking available.See more..
4.5Swallow Cliff Stairs(19 reviews) - Great workout! Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Forests
Take the yellow marked trail... 8 miles and do the stairs! Go during the week early afternoon... less crowded. Bathrooms and water fountain are located at the stairs and porta potties at Teasons Woods,See more..
This location is so unique and gorgeous! It has a magical feel to it and I could have stayed watching the swamp all day. We saw multiple herons fly off, purple trillium, and mayapple. If my chatty 5 year old hadn't been with us we probably would have seen more birds :) You have to walk down the trail about 3/4 mile before you get to the boardwalk section. We also hiked to the champion cherrybark oak, which was impressive. We were there on a overcast day in mid-April and there were no biting insects. I would love to return someday.See more..
4.5Emily Oaks Nature Center(17 reviews) - Enjoy a bit of Nature Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
For over 20 years, I lived less than a mile from Emily Oaks and didn't know it was there. Now, I go a few times every month, all year long. There is something for everyone. A great place to stroll, quiet trails (Look at the wildflowers or rent snowshoes!) Volunteer with friendly people, take advantage of park district sponsored classes & events, or take the kids to the playground.See more..
5.0Busey Woods(17 reviews) - Shady place for a hot afternoon Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
We really enjoyed wandering the trails here on a hot humid afternoon. We saw many deer. We were sad that some of the watering places were drained so it appeared the deer had a harder time getting water. There also used to be turtles and frogs but there stream was drained so we did not see any of those either. There were several trails but they were not really clearly marked. We figured we would eventually find our way out. See more..
4.5Douglas-Hart Nature Center(16 reviews) - Great Place Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Forests We stopped here to stretch our legs and have lunch. It was great. They have nice walking trails. A zip line that both my teens and 5 year old could enjoy. The pond had lots of fish and 3 huge turtles that came right up to the dock. We also enjoyed the nature center. We were able to eat lunch at picnic tables. It was a great stop.See more..
5.0Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve(15 reviews) - Great for biking and hiking Saturday: 6:00 AM - 7:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
The main attraction is a 5.6 mile crushed limestone loop and a 1.2 mile access path from Modaff Road. Great for biking or hiking. Your see los of birds and some other wildlife. There is a picnic area with bath rooms and a god park at the SW end of the loop. Also a rather impressiv emodel airplane flying area at the P-N Road end. Thisis a Du Page County Forest preserve facility.See more..
Almost as soon as you leave the parking lot, you cross a beautiful pond and enter a well-maintained, secluded nature preserve. . Most of the specimen trees in this lovely little park are clearly identified. As you bike or hike the winding half-mile trail, you will also pass many memorial plaques. On a typical visit, you might see dog walkers, young parents with strollers, kids on bikes, and possibly me -- with my tree and shrub field guide. Give yourself a 20-30 minute break as you relax and connect with nature at the Keay Center.See more..
If you want a quiet place to see some wonderful birds, this is it. The walking trails are maintained and you can watch the cranes swoop in without disturbing them. We like to take binoculars to check out the small island inhabitants.See more..
3.5Red Hills State Park(10 reviews) - Good hiking trails and picnic spots Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
The north side of this park has many good hiking trails. The south side has horse trails that are marked as good for bicycling too - but they were too muddy now after all the recent rains. The hiking trails were ok now as they are on higher ground. There are two lakes - one having a boat launch and boat rentals during summer,See more..
I loved this wetlands center and the helpful people working there. This place bird observing areas, trails, ponds, creeks, champion trees, and wildlife. You could spend a day or more exploring it all. See more..
4.5Beall Woods State Park(10 reviews) - A Gem Spent 2-3 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
National Geographic reviewed about 15 Illinois State Parks. They missed this one. It belongs on any list of the best of Illinois. It has well maintained grounds, lovely trails for all. The trees were protected from harvesting. It’s spectacular Illinois. See more..
Beautiful leaf changing time of year. Trails are truly rustic... Dirt and grass Very peaceful. Several families out with professional photographers. A few different parking lots.See more..
4.0Little Grassy Fish Hatchery(10 reviews) - Educational for your children Nature & Wildlife Areas Great place to take your children/grandchildren for a lesson in our fishery and how they help stock our ponds and other needs to our Eco system. The kids didn't just enjoy it I did too! It's great to keep learning new things everyday!See more..
5.0Severson Dells Nature Center(10 reviews) - Getting out in nature Saturday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Come and explore Severson Dells, with its hiking trails, visitor center, nature playground and gift store. We offer a wide range of programs for all ages. Check our website for current event listings!See more..
4.5Franklin Creek Grist Mill(8 reviews) - Working Grist Mill Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas We were given the grand tour, saw all of the detail as to how the mill worked, actually operated the mill, and ground corn. Great staff!See more..
Public Access is provivded from either Blackhawk or Mulford Roads. This 145-acre preserve provides a diversity of recreational opportunities. Includes a 30-acre oak woods listed on the Illinois Natural Area Inventory of notable natural quality. A hiking trail provides access to the woods. Traditional picnic areas and shelters available. Adjacent to State of Illinois' high quality ranked Kishwaukee River.See more..
4.5Lock & Dam 13 Recreation Area(8 reviews) - Pelicans, eagles, beaver lodges Spent < 1 hour Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Dams
Dec 26 we saw 3 bald eagles in the trees across from the lock. A squad of pelicans walked on the frozen pond along the driveway to the lock. Beaver lodges studded the pond. See more..
4.5Busse Forest Elk Pasture(8 reviews) - We got up close to a family of elk Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
Seeing animals in a somewhat non-zoo setting is always hit or miss. Today, as we parked we saw the elk close to the parking lot along the trail. We were off and came upon three elk that were probably a family of a buck, doe and a youngster. They were near the fence, so my young granddaughter got a great look at them. One thing that we learned is that the elk in the pasture are not always the same elk, year after year. Apparently, a small percentage are rotated out to broaden the bloodline. A nice, inexpensive outdoor activity for kids and adults.See more..
