Spring outdoor adventures in the Forest Preserves of Cook County

There are many reasons to get excited about spring in Chicagoland, especially for folks who love spending time outdoors. Cook County Forest Preserves provide a vast outdoor playground for adventurous Chicagoans, totaling more than 70,000 acres throughout Chicagoland's unique neighborhoods.

From hiking and biking to golf and fishing, Cook County Forest Preserves offer a wealth of outdoor activities. These are some of our real estate agents' favorite places to spend time outdoors. 

Ned Brown Preserve - Elk Grove Township, IL

Address: East Higgins Road, Elk Grove Township, IL 60007

Popularly referred to as Busse Woods, the 3,558-acre Ned Brown Preserve is one of the largest and most ecologically diverse forest preserves in Cook County. This sprawling preserve in Elk Grove offers year-round outdoor adventures, with nearly 13 miles of paved trails for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing. The preserve also includes Busse Reservoir—an excellent fishing and boating destination—and a wild elk herd within a 17-acre enclosed pasture.

Deer Grove - Palatine, IL

Address: West Dundee Road, Palatine, IL 60067

Encompassing nearly 2,000 acres of wooded hills, ravines, wetlands, and prairies, the Deer Grove Forest Preserve is a beautiful outdoor destination in the northwestern suburb of Palatine, IL. An especially excellent area for bird watching and wildlife viewing, Deer Grove includes some of the most valuable wildlife habitats in the Chicago area. Hikers can explore several trail loops of varying difficulty, including the stunning 5.5-mile Yellow Loop through hilly forests.

Dan Ryan Woods - Chicago, IL

Address: W. 87th St., Chicago, IL 60620

Although it is a relatively small preserve at 257 acres, Dan Ryan Woods is one of the most popular Cook County Forest Preserves. Located on Chicago's South Side, adjacent to the Auburn Gresham and Beverly neighborhoods, the preserve offers an array of excellent amenities, including:

• Shady picnic groves.
• Sections of the 8.1-mile Major Taylor Trail.
• Historic aqueducts built by the CCC.

Dan Ryan Woods is directly across South Western Avenue from the Beverly Country Club, one of the best golf destinations on the South Side.

Harms Woods - Glenview, IL

Address: Harms Road, Glenview, IL 60025

Hugging the banks of the north branch of the Chicago River, Harms Woods is a beautiful forest preserve in the village of Glenview. The wooded park includes picturesque picnic groves and fields as well as beautifully restored forest habitat on the west side of the river that supports spring wildflowers, butterflies, and birds. On the east side, the preserve offers access to the 20-mile North Branch Trail System.

LaBagh Woods - Chicago, IL

Address: West Foster Avenue and North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630

Surrounded by the charming North Park neighborhood, LaBagh Woods is an urban oasis spanning 160 acres. Prime birding habitat, the preserve offers restored woodlands, wetlands, savannas, and sedge meadows. LaBagh Woods marks the southern starting point of the North Branch Trail, which connects it to several other preserves.

Schiller Woods - Chicago, IL

Address: Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60634

Nestled between Norridge and Schiller Park, the beautiful Schiller Woods Preserve offers 284 acres of manicured picnic areas and restored wild habitat along the Des Plaines River. Highlights of this beautiful park in the northwest suburbs include:

• Fishing in the Des Plaines River and a 6-acre pond.
• Hiking and biking trails.
• Serpent Twin Mound, a contemporary earthwork.
• Open fields for kite flying.

Over 11% of Cook County's land area remains wild, making Cook County Forest Preserves the oldest and largest system of its kind in the United States. Contact us today to learn more about all the adventures that await outdoors in Chicagoland.