I returned here after visiting about 30 years ago, and was very impressed with the trails. You can…read morespend many days here and still not see all the areas the park offers. We parked at the Oak Opening area and hiked down to Lake Defiance, taking the Lake Defiance Trail. We stopped at the Nature Center to see some displays and chat with the ranger, and then continued our hike. Seeing the moraines, the leftover hills and ridges from the retreating Wisconsin Glacier, 10's of thousands of years ago, was a geologic trip through time. This is a great local state park that does not have an entrance fee! (None of our state parks have entrance fees to the best of my knowledge!) This is a place I can't wait to get back to explore, right in the backyard of the Chicago 'burbs!

Very pleasant to go to. Very close to home if I just want to go somewhere with no noise. Lots of…read moretrails and just driving through it is very nice. Sometimes you can't just drive somewhere super far to sight see but thankfully this State park is here. Also it is free which is very nice.

The bog itself is a small loop like 1/2 a mile. There's another trail around it, who knows how far…read moreit goes. Definitely cool to be on a bog, and walking on the supported apparatus is fun as they wiggle all over and you might fall in! Kewl.

I first visited Volo Bog in the early 90s with an environmental biology class I was taking at CLC…read more I've returned many times since then to hike the large outer ring trail. I recently returned with a group to see a presentation slide show and do a guided walk through the bog interpretive trail and had a really great time. It was the first time I'd done the guided tours or experienced the presentations. The docents and people working here are really great and you can tell they enjoy what they do here. They were very friendly and open with our group and everything was very informative. The fall colors were beautiful! I wish I'd seen a muskrat this time but the temp was chilly and they were probably all hunkered down. I did see lots of birds! If you enjoy nature you should definitely visit Volo Bog.

Beautiful walking trail. The trail is clean, well-paved and safe. Lots of people on it but not too…read morecrowded. Only one downfall for someone recouping from surgery, no places to seat for a break.

Easily my favorite trail. Growing up this used to be train tracks but since 2008 it's a trail…read more Convient to use however a woman was sexual assaulted recently so be careful. Awesome place for the neighborhood

Fun place to hike with little hills and can go on or off the paved trail to keep it interesting…read more Would walk here regularly with my dog if it were closer to me!

I took some time off the beaten path - and that's to say, the paved path - on my most recent visit,…read moreand goodness is this place expansive. If I were more of a mountain bike enthusiast, this would be an oasis. Even just walking and hiking around, the many twisting, undulating trails proved interesting and exciting (though I was constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting to get run down; people on bikes get entitled, y'know...). Knowing the history of the racecourse, it is astonishing - and maybe a testament to the work of the forest preserve - how little this place resembles what it once was. Aside from pavement, which you might as well just assume was a paved path, and the big fuel silo, this place once again belongs to nature.

This seems like a nice park. Lots of trees and trails and picnic tables and what more do you need…read moreat a park? It was raining pretty hard today and cold so we just sat in our car and ate our lunch today but I'm good with coming back for a hike.

I enjoy coming here…read more. Not to mention I am a park explorer. This park has awesome trails, super clean and even has a spot where you can get free poop bags if you are walking your puppy and forget your bags. There is also lavatories. Park closes when the sun sets. Throughout trails you will see signs about the park and habitat. Great views, no picnic tables which is fine with me since I enjoy I good walk/run. This places goes up and down which is amazing. You you are looking for a cool spot to run this is a good one. The only thing is that parking is not very big. Other than that I'd be returning.

Beautiful park that has a path that leads straight out to Lake Michigan. This trail made it feel…read morelike I was back home in Colorado and gives someone who's homesick a little sense of peace and comfort. Highly recommend in fall! PSA: Be aware of ticks!!

I absolutely love this park. Ive been coming here since i was a little girl and it hasn't lost its…read morecharm quite yet although slowly falling apart. I frequent this park often and it does seem like they are trying to keep up with damaged walkways and fallen trees as best as possible. This trail connects over to grant park as well as the neighboring golf course. Many picnic areas, walking trails, views, and two points of beach access. The stairs here are VERY steep, and the pathways are generally NOT smooth. If these are concerns for you be weary! Bathrooms are as clean as you can expect at a park, trash cans are never left filthy, and parks people as well as park enjoyers all do a pretty good job of picking up any litter or trash left behind. Passer by'ers are typically friendly, and can even offer tidbits of information about the native plant life growing around you! If you care to say hello. In the summers on the weekends this place gets pretty crazy, and becomes a park i no longer enjoy. Visitors from nearby locations blast loud music, graffiti trees, leave mounds of garbage, and totally wreck the place. Photographers and photoshoots engulf the area, making it impossible to actually just relax enjoy the park. But thats not the parks fault! It really is beautiful! Summer visitors do show a lack of respect for the wildlife, however. If you are a large group, summer enjoyer. There are different events that take place here such as the annual beer garden. Theres a pavilion available for reservations for parties and events. Fall time is also awesome here. Whether you prefer a short scenic drive to admire the trees, or prefer to be more immersed, this place has color!! Hands down one of my favorite places to spend me time. On the right day, in the right season that is.

Hidden gem in LITH!! Peaceful, lovely scenic trails. It's a beautiful walk. The pavilion is great…read morefor a packed lunch or hanging out with a good book.

This place is a true hidden gem. You would never know it existed if not for stopping in and taking…read morea walk down a trail. The kids and I love to take in a trail and go amateur bird watching. My son loves fishing and he's participated in a few fishing derbies here as well as caught a few on a couple of quick trips out. The little ponds have all sorts of fish, but we've only really seen the bluegill and the sunfish. The trails on the west side entrance are grassy paths with various states of brush and shrub. There are even some stone formations for sitting or for the kids to play on. I've seen people jog and walk their dogs at safe distances, though now and again some inconsiderate patrons leave animal waste on the trails. I haven't been on the east side trails in a while, but from what I remember, they are more hilly. If you are in the area, you have to stop by... it's a natural wonder!

Great time out with the family came for a picnic did a little fishing and my three-year-old ran…read morearound had so much fun on the beach

We went for a walk this morning and loved the trail. The water was very clear with just the right…read moreamount of activity,

If you're local it's awesome , if you're an out of towner like me you have to pay to park then pay…read moreto get in which sucks

What an amazing place! How did I not ever know about this? It is free for entrance otherwise it's a…read morefive dollar visitor fee. If you wish to go to the main beach, that's an additional $12 if you are not a resident of Crystal Lake. The grounds are immaculate, very well maintained, and the bathrooms are clean. There are two lakes, multiple pavilions that you can rent ahead of time. Lots of picnic tables for you to sit down. Near the bar and grill while you can't go in the water, you can take your drink and sit on one of the cheers on the beach. You can watch people practice on their WaveRunner. Swing on the swings at the bar and listen to great music. I did not have any food here. I did have an amazing Mojito. The bartender was a young man looking to join the Barrington police force. Polite, kind and also had great customer service skills. The reason why I didn't give it five stars is that there are absolutely no markings anywhere as to what trail you are on, how long of a trail it is, and where there may be porta potties. There aren't any maps or QR codes and it was a bit confusing as I came upon several wise and the trail to decide which way to go as I had limited time there. Given the fact that everything is so nicely taken care of I don't know how they can't have at least some markings on the trails that they have there. One of the workers sent me direction and it literally just took me to a pavilion. They have kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards. They also offer lessons for SUP depending on the day. Lots of people fishing. Amazing Place! Please add signage for the trails! The pop and water machine near the beach entrance did not work. Hopefully those are checked daily to repair.