Loved that there was next to a bicycle trail, you could see people passing by…read more We saw two deers, ducks and lots of birds and squirrels.

I like the trail along the river here where I have spotted many land and shore birds. It's quiet…read moreand shady so it's a good spot on a hot day. That being said, it can be muddy so be prepared. Also wear bug repellent and watch out for fallen limbs across the trail. At least those keep the bikers off the path.

This preserve is a quick trip for us to walk after dinner and enjoy the sunset. An easy gravel…read moretrail winds around Quarry Lake and along the west branch of the DuPage River. Depending on the time of the year you can see wildflowers and many species of birds. We have encountered coyote but they generally stir clear of people. There are piers out into the lake that many people use for fishing. I have seen people on kayaks there too. There are a few picnic tables and benches as well.

Great for a walk,bird watching,fishing or have a picnic. Piers for fishing. Limestone paths. Dogs…read moreare welcome. Boat launch off the parking lot. Bathroom facilities available. Great way to spend a morning or afternoon

Well laid out. Plenty of parking, great wildlife. Some paved trails and some limestone trails…read more Occasional Porta Johns( they could use more) this is a great place to walk, bike, hike. They also have several shelters to picnic. I like to go meet Family here and catch up. For the most part , people you pass are friendly.

Apparently my old review disappeared. I love McDowell for a nice walk. It's nice in any season…read more Plenty of parking. Only one porta pottie at entrance. Suprisingly, it's usually kept decently clean.

Explore this beautiful forest preserve, perfect for picnics, capturing stunning fall photos,…read moreenjoying outdoor casual sports with family & friends & leisurely strolls. The park offers expansive vistas, rolling hills & scenic trails for walking, running & cycling. Don't miss the breathtaking sunset views! It's an ideal place to immerse yourself in nature, esp during the colorful autumn season! Parking is never a problem here, but there are no porta-johns. A few picnic tables are spread around the area, but most bring their picnic blankets and enjoy the grass & scenery!

When it's a lovely day for a picnic and boating with family, Blackwell Forest Preserve is a really…read moregood destination. There's even a campground for overnight camping (with reservation). This Summer, when we drove over to the boat launch area to set up a picnic for our kids & grandkids after their boating, I noticed a volleyball net and families playing. Such a delightful place that is well maintained and equipped to help friends and families make happy memories. The property is vast for a "way-out-there" feel, as opposed to nearby Herrick Lake which has the outdoor party ambiance.

This Forest Preserve has a large indoor Nature Center, bird watching, caged owls, hawk, hiking…read morevarious tree species and trails! This Forest preserve has it all. The Crabtree Nature Center & Trails is a fun place for the whole family. There are varying trails depending on the distance you want to cover: short & longer up to 3.5 miles approx. Trails are well maintained however it's good to know that they are not paved and are mostly grassy, a bit muddy (if it's wet) and uneven in places. The path offers plenty of shade and nice bench seating areas along the way. It's a very pretty trail and the fall foliage is beautiful!

This nature preserve offers year round activities and is perfect for families who love the…read moreoutdoors. There are trails , a nature center and even a small bird habitat with owls and hawks. Plenty of parking. Free admission. Check their website for exact hours.

This is beautiful national historical land. It's located off the I-55 and Harlem Ave. Easy to…read moreaccess. It's for the education and enjoyment of the community and visitors. Very nice picnic area with tables. Many benches located throughout the area. Very nice Trails to enjoy for a healthy way to relax and enjoy nature. Beautiful statues and maps tell the history/timeline. Great place for the individual, couple, groups , children and animals as well. Wonderful spot to enjoy and soak up history.

We walked the outer path around the water. Some of it is paved but then it turns into a rock path…read morefor a while. There is a pavilion with some tables to sit & eat. We saw lots of different kinds of flowers. Several different butterfly species & few dragonflies. It took us about 25 minutes to walk around but we were stopping a lot so I could take pictures. If you're looking for a beautiful walk I definitely suggest going to Chicago Portage National Historic Site!

The forest preserve here includes a mixture of forest, at least one wildflower meadow, and a lazy…read moreriver. The Prairie Path bicycle trail runs through it. It also contains what the park announces is "Illinois' most important archaeological site," but it is poorly marked and hard to see once you get there. The meadows are lovely in the summer and there are (not very sweet) black raspberries in the forest, but if you're looking for the mounds, I would recommend looking for a guided tour. The Park District does these occasionally and they are $5-$8. Unlike me you might then actually see the mounds; I walked all around the sign saying "here you are" and all I saw was underbrush. If you're going by yourself, look up the directions (the signs aren't much help) and go early in the season before all the plants get tall and leafy. On the bright side, the meadow full of wildflowers was lovely; I saw a couple of monarchs and some dragonflies; and I got in a good mile walk round trip. (If you're on your bike, please note that you'll have to trek the last bit on foot both to obey park regulations and as a practical matter; the path is quite narrow.)

Here's a great historical site to explore in Joliet. It's free, and it's all outdoors. Back in the…read moreday, Joliet was one of the leading iron/steel manufacturers in the United States, as it provided several locals with jobs. Many of those people were immigrants who had trouble speaking English. You'll learn about the history of Joliet Iron and Steel Works by walking the nearly one mile trail. I didn't spend more than 45 minutes here, but I felt like I learned a lot. I also didn't walk that far on the trail, but I was more than impressed with what I saw. There are lots of ghost structures of the old remains. Obviously, it is not recommended for anyone to go near them (or behind the fenced area). But they're great for photography either way. And of course, you can get your exercise on the trail, which connects to others. Make this a must-see if you're in the area.

First time coming here the other day. This place is amazing for urban explorers, people fascinated…read moreby history or something for the average walker to do to get their daily 10,000 steps. Parking is a bit tricky if your not familiar with the area. It's got a picnic table, restrooms and water. The path heads straight to the I&M trail as well but you'll see remants of a former Joliet in its prime. It's one of the few things that are actually fun to do in this boring city. (no offense) definitely check it out. The path is great and unique. Definitely check out the brick path. I only wish they described more of what the buildings and paths were originally used for with pictures provided.