There are a bunch of coyotes in these woods that are more active at dawn and dusk so be careful with small kids and dogs.
It not only has a dog park and model plane field but it also has a very lovely trail around the tall grass prairie.
Long trail around a big lake within a rural suburban surrounding. Nothing dramatic though easy trail to hike. Watch out for coyotes.
The trails are hiking and biking trails but because they’re meant as mounting biking trails they’re very hilly. It’s a great workout as a hike and definitely challenging by bike!
It’s a great place to go hiking as well as a cool historic site where you can learn about the history of Chicago.
There are a TON of deer in this preserve and they let you get fairly close to them. There are also a bunch of coyotes so be aware if you have small children or pets.
There's poison ivy and poison oak in these woods. Wear long pants and sleeves if you're going on the trails.
There is a path all around this. Take the path, explore. It's beautiful.
The trails are all all pretty short ... The orange trail is labeled hard but only has A couple steep inclined and descents. Avoid camping by #32 as the bathroom there is bright and loud
A great park, has variety, soccer, tennis, games for children, lake and ducks and lots of green area for walking or rest ...
Very spacious park almost surprisingly so. There are streets through the park, but not always a sidewalk that follows them.
This park offers auditoriums, baseball fields, a golf course, gymnasium, outdoor basketball courts, paths for running, jogging or biking, a spray pool and tennis courts. Read more.
Trails are well maintained & there are a lot of them including the kames which are the 3 tall hills made by glaciers. Steer clear of bog boardwalk unless you want to get wet! It needs replacement.
It’s a great place to go for a nice long walk and once you get to Evanston or Chicago there are Divvy bike stations walking distance from the trail.
William W. Powers State Recreation Area offers opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in the city for residents and visitors.
Among the Park’s cool features are a pagoda-shaped pavilion, where you can catch a water taxi to downtown Chicago, and a unique railroad drawbridge. Read more.
Many miles of running trails. Wonderful lake. Hiking. Camping. Cookouts. Coyotes running club, HOBO Trail Series, Survivor Trail Series...what's not to love?
Great trail running. 1.5 miles around. From the lot to the river, north to the tracks, east along the tracks. Take the trail ( kinda hard to find, keep your eye out) south to the lot again.
Considered the "beauty spot of Auburn", this quiet, peaceful, open area of trees and grass surrounds large lagoons and pathways running throughout. Read more.
There are plenty of ticks and mosquitos so come prepared. There's also plenty of opportunities for nature photography.
Close by fishing. Lots of space. People are friendly. Water "shower" wreaks of sewer, and the ice cream shop to get ice and bait is never open but theres a nearby store called D&S that has everything
A a 46-acre nature preserve and educational facility with miles of trails and lots of wildlife.
Check out www.cambr.org for a trail map, for an easy ride try the yellow/purple trail and for a wicked one check out 3 ravines orange/blue loop. Well maintained trails all around (Thanks CAMBr folks!)
Beautiful summer days in Chicago are scarce...make the most of them and come down to the lake front.
One of Chicago's more prominent parks, Garfield Park offers facilities for baseball, boxing, basketball, tennis and swimming and also has a playground, fitness center, and paths for jogging. Read more.
Designed by famous landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, Jackson Park became the chosen site for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Read more.
Perfect for a hike, some birdwatching, saw mink tracks in the snow. Ongoing habitat restoration is improving wildlife counts.
Humboldt Park has lagoons, an historic field house, ball fields -- including a "mini-Wrigley Field" funded in part by the Cubs -- and walking trails. Read more.
Stop by the office and get a map for the 2.5 mile trail across the road or 10.5 mile trail along the river.
Get a guide book from the main office and lose yourself exploring nature
Sandstone bluffs, red-bellied woodpeckers and six miles of hiking trails—what doesn’t Castle Rock State Park offer? The area is also home to top-notch cross-country skiing paths. Read more.
27 acres of verdant hills and a fishing pond mean you have plenty of opportunity to become one with nature. Make it to the park’s highest point, Mount Bridgeport, for killer views of the city skyline. Read more.
Beautiful park with a winding path that stretches for miles through the woods and wetland - perfect place to get out and run. Also has a pretty cool herd of elk!
Get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and take in all that nature has to offer. (Seriously. They’ve got trees and plants from around the world.)
If you plan on hiking in the spring, fall, or winter wear water proof shoes as there are places where the path gets a bit wet.
Side lanes are padded which my knees love. Trees are still young so shade is rare. Bring sunglasses or even a hat. Still is a work in progress. Can't wait to see the finished park.
The beautiful Grant Park Rose Garden is a popular location for weddings and also a peaceful place to enjoy the park's scenery.
Throw a frisbee around. Maybe take a walk through the zoo, and spend a few introspective moments pondering what it means to be human.
The 21-acre West Ridge Nature Preserve is a relatively new addition to the outskirts of the city. It boasts paved trails, a pond and the wide expanses hard to find in more bustling parts of Chicago. Read more.
The state park is absolutely huge! Skip starved rock and go hiking in the canyons!
Between Montrose Beach and Lincoln Park is a beautiful natural dunes area that was under water until the 1990's. It's filled with endangered plants and birds and is quite peaceful.
Great place to run. Wear bug spray in the summer after it rains. Those suburban mosquitoes are vicious!
Awesome trails for hiking and biking. Shaded areas and sunny areas. A very pleasant place to picnic and spend an afternoon with your kids and family!
Located in the heart of Illinois' largest concentration of natural lakes, Chain O'Lakes State Park is a water-oriented recreation area with outstanding opportunities for boaters, anglers and skiers.
Its amazing out here. Plenty of trails to walk, great fishing spots, and a place to camp.
This park itself isn’t huge but it has a great dog park and it’s connected to Fullersburg woods by the I-88 bike trail.
