Great Blue Heron nesting spot. They also had a flower/plant sale going on when I was there. Neat…read moremarsh to go observe wildlife, in fact, they will loan you some binaculars on weekends!

Now that I have moved back to the area (Gurnee) this is definitely one of my favorite forest…read morepreserves. The path is small but big enough to get a decent walk in. The path circles the lake and it's treaded by people/animals not paved (like some of the other preserves). There are fishing spots throughout and a decent dock with benches to fish or relax on. There are about 20 parking spots and the bathroom. The bathroom/stalls (1 ladies/1 men) are in horrible condition (at least the ladies). Both what can you expect with it being exposed to the elements and outdoors. Overall I really like this preserve and will be back multiple times in the future !

This place is beautiful, with an awesome little pier, multiple nice shoreline walking areas, and…read morepretty direct access to the des plaines river and another, much smaller pond with a stream running just south of the parking lot. The only reason this place doesn't get a perfect 5 star is for 2 reasons: 1. On the northern edge of the lake, the expressway and electric towers are very loud and get pretty annoying, and 2. You better pack bug spray because the day I came here, I had 6 ticks crawling on me after I left. luckily none of them bit me, but still. I understand it's tick season but it's still pretty crazy. Awesome place overall, and seems to have good fishing. Even saw a loon on the day I went. Would recommend as a walking/fishing area.

Hastings Lake Forest Preserve has approximately a 2.1 mile hike. The path is paved and pretty even…read morethroughout. It wraps around the lake which offers nice breezes. Many areas along the trail are shaded by large trees so it's not all sunny and hot. The lake has a good population of turtles and surprisingly also has big mouth bass among other species that you are allowed to fish! They offer a boat ramp to bring your boat or even canoe! They also have plenty of places around the lake to sit and just reflect and relax. The path was very clean and markers easy to spot as there is only 1 path and no diversions. It's a great morning activity with family and friends.

Hastings Forest Preserve has wonderful trails and paths for both hiking and bikes. There is a trail…read morethat wraps around a beautiful Lake. There is also a wonderful playground for children. It has a nice soft padding for kids to play on making it safer than your usual wood chips or Tire shreds. There are plenty of swings for both Toddlers and older along with infants and young babies. The only reason I have not given this five stars is because there has been prepares needed to part of the playground that have not yet been repaired. The repairs have been needed for quite some time now and have not yet been addressed. Maybe once the repairs are completed I will change my rating. Another great feature to this area is there are nice bathrooms right by the playground and in the center of the forest preserve. There are also picnic tables and a pavilion for people to have Gatherings of all kinds.

The 2nd most popular state park in Illinois, Illinois Beach State Park was initially established in…read more1948, with the northern portion being added in 1982. It is located on over 6 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, encompassing 4,160 acres. I spent a lot of summers here (both at the beach and the campgrounds) with my dad and brother during my youth, and was also the area where I proposed to my girlfriend over 30 years ago...was nice to stop by with my now wife on this rainy day. It's official name is Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, renamed for the former state senator and conservation advocate in 2010 (a year after her passing). I went to high school in the area, and she was an important presence during that time, often sponsoring various academic and community awards for local students. Since it was rainy and a weekday, the large parking lots and beachfront were pretty empty. We walked it a bit, collected some sand (recently started to collect and label beach sand to further document my travels). There is a 'resort' hotel on the grounds (which I remembered) and The Pavilion (a combination camp store, souvenir shop, and concession stand), which I didn't remember (makes sense since it opened in 2021). The latter was closed when we stopped by (has limited hours during the non-summer time and is closed during winter).

My first time here. I've avoided this area because it's surrounded by iffy neighborhoods with high…read morecrime rates like murders. They had a fall festival this past weekend with free guided walks so I figured it would be safe for us. Loved the guided walk and how informative it was. This is a high quality state park with lots of native plants still intact. So the whole place is pretty deserted but it did rain in the morning. Cars with completely tinted windows drive around in broad daylight. Pretty scary...The campgrounds have security that do not allow you to pass through unless you are a camper so that would make it safe. I saw a few police cars in the area as well. Personally, this isn't for me but if you are street smart, know your way around the neighborhood, it's great for hiking.

The Yelon and Waukegan Harbor statement that there is an accessible kayak launch is false. The…read morelaunch is 30' into the lake, tied to a revetment that users cannot access without walking through 3' of Waukegan Harbor water. it looks like it was destroyed by winter ice. Don't go there.

Great place to fish or just be out in the water relaxing. We got a charter & went fishing in Sept…read more 2018, fortunately for us the weather was great. It was trout season so we caught some huge Lake Trout(see pics) that we ended up grilling that night. Was told by the Captain that salmon season is in June so definitely will be coming back for that. You're welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks, check with your charter to see if they allow booze on board. Happy Fishing!

Dawson's Creek in Illinois. Minus the sesquipedalian loquaciousness and Katie Holmes…read more The culture here is really peaceful and unique. It is a small unincorporated community on very modest &/or dated lower to middle class homes with a very folksy and laid back vibe. There is no commerce in Wildwood proper but a bar and delightfully seedy candy store on the border. The shining jewel is the lakes and streams in this sleepy district. They border much of the homes here therefore most homes have personal docks in their backyard. Almost everyone has a boat and many have row canoes to their neighbors for borrowed cups of sugar or visiting. The place has many parks for its size. I know of a whooping ELEVEN for this small community. One could go on a bike ride and hit all or more, many are in walking distance or a mile apart (if that). Sunset Beach is 1 of the most impressive. It has a nice playground, a sledding hill (that seems a lot less steep than it used to. maybe they leveled it down, yea that's it), a small sand beach, and a pier for fishing ot tying your personal boats, a lodge structure for cooking out and gatherings, and free parking. It's very peaceful, family, and dog friendly. If you're in the area check it out. You won't "wanna wait".

This is a nice little beach in Wildwood. You do need a resident parking sticker to park along the…read moreposted area however. We are not Wildwood residents but have found parking not too far off. The swimming area is marked and mostly attracts families with young kids.

I love that the warm is warm and the kids can stand! There is also a playground near by. The only…read morebad side is the only bathroom is a port a potty. But it a free beach and we never spent less then 3 hours there

Spent the morning at Illinois State Park beach...the biting…read moreflies finally win and chased us away...which led us to this little hidden gem. Jones Island Park is a well kept park full of shade trees, a playground, walking trail with benches, a shelter house, a sand volleyball court...and a beach. It's small, we'll-maintained, the swim area is marked off, the water is warm, the littles can stand, and there are no flies!!! Not quite the view of the Great Lake, but still a beautiful setting. Swim in the lake area. Fish in the canal. Relax beneath a shade tree. A little bit of something here to keep the young and the old content for a very long while!!! Annnnnd, unlike the rest of the local park/beaches....it's free!!!

Most Exciting Lake Michigan Salmon fishing trip ever experienced!…read moreOur group was blown away by our salmon & Trout fishing catch! Capt Nick Ganzer and the charter boat Merganzer did not disappoin!!!

Went out on a charter with Captain Nick on the Merganzer and had a blast! Top notch charter…read morefishing-First Class! Caught rainbow, brown and lake trout along with a big king! Great time and we are looking at going again before the season ends!