Outdoors in Chicago

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve

Shoreline forest preserve with rolling terrain & trails for hiking, biking & cross-country skiing.

Lake Forest, IL|5

State Park

Moraine Hills State Park

2,200+ acres of glacier-formed park with woods, wetlands & lakes for year-round sports & recreation.

McHenry, IL|5

Calumet Park

Jumbo, nearly 200-acre park featuring gymnasiums, a beach, sports fields & picnic areas.

Chicago, IL|4

City park

Lake Park

Charming 76-acre park on the banks of Lake Opeka known for its fishing, boating & golf.

Des Plaines, IL|5

Hiking Area

Herrick Lake Forest Preserve

885-acre nature preserve with over 5 miles of trails, plus boat rentals & fishing opportunities.

Wheaton, IL|5

Bison's Bluff Nature Playground

Built mainly from natural materials, this playground offers areas for climbing, sliding & splashing.

Schaumburg, IL|5

The Naperville Riverwalk

Naperville, IL|5

Palmisano (Henry) Park

27-acre area providing interpretive wetlands, a fishing pond, athletic track & field & city views.

Vera Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley

Trails wind through this picturesque natural area with a 19th-century farm & docents in costume.

Schaumburg, IL|5

City of Aurora- Phillips Park Zoo

Vast city park comprising a golf course & pro shop, zoo, sporting fields & family recreation areas.

Aurora, IL|5

Marquette Park

This 315-acre park on a lagoon offers fishing, sports facilities, gyms, gardens, a woodshop & more.

Chicago, IL|4

Lake Arlington

Arlington Heights, IL|5

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve

948-acre park with a large lake, forests & wetlands, popular for boating, fishing & hiking.

Hanover Park, IL|5

Burnham Park Promontory Point

Part of Burnham Park, this scenic man-made peninsula & picnic spot juts into Lake Michigan.

Garden

Osaka Garden

Japanese garden on Jackson Park's Wooded Island featuring a waterfall & foot bridges.

Schiller Woods

Fishing for bass & catfish, plus walking trails, picnic areas & roaming deer in protected woodland.

LaBagh Woods

This wooded area is a popular spot for nature observation & offers trails & picnic areas.

Farm

Jungle of Niles

Niles, IL|5

Northerly Island Park

91-acre peninsula with skyline views, hiking, fishing & playing plus a fieldhouse & live music acts.