Cook County, IL

Lake Michigan Circle TourIllinois
Written By Justyna Frank

Chicago skyline viewed from Northerly Island (photo by Justyna Frank)

We’ll start the grand Lake Michigan Circle Tour right from our doorstep here here in Chicago, Cook County, IL. This is the area readers are already well acquainted with, and chances are that at least some will be familiar with many of the resources I mention. But —even on our home turf— there are sure to be some hidden gems that might catch you by surprise.

For the moment, we will give our home counties of Cook (and Lake in the next post) a somehwat cursory glance, just to make sure we don’t miss the basics, before we head off on our summer-long Lake Michigan escapade.

However, we will return here in the late summer, to connect all the dots, fill in all the blanks, and dive deeper to explore local adventure possibilities, if your home base happens to be Chicago.

So, without further ado, let’s see what lurks in our own back yard.

Cook County, IL: a natural resource bonanza!

Forest Preserves

Everyone knows that the greater Chicago region is encircled with a wreath of vast green spaces comprising the 70,000 acres of natural land under the purview of Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPDCC)

But what’s inside? And what do you do when you get there? Is it safe?

Yes! It’s perfectly safe. As to what to do when you get there, for beginners, I’d suggest starting with the preserve that has a nice, well-staffed Nature Center, pay it a visit, ask some questions, pick up a map, and go get lost!

Here’s a list of nature centers within FPDCC, which are really amazing places that serve as magic doorways to the discovery of the natural habitats and diversity of the region.

Or, if you’re ready to take the plunge without any preamble, here are some good places to start:

  • Palos Preserves span 15,000 acres in the south-west region of Cook County, and include a number of forest preserves interconnected with biking, hiking and equestrain trails, as well as bodies of water. It is a breathtaking wilderness, where you can enjoy anything from a serene, secluded hike, to an overnight adventure, thanks to camping facilities available at Bullfrog Lake.

  • The DesPlaines River system likewise links together a number of adjacent forest preserves that can be enjoyed individually, or strung together for more ambitious adventure with, opportunities for biking, paddling and cross-country skiing.

  • Contained entirely within Chicago city limits is a string of forest preserves running along the North Branch of the Chicago River between LaBagh Woods and Caldwell Woods, connected via its famous North Branch Trail bicycle path. Aside from the official trail, these woods are transected by numerous footpaths improvised by runners, hikers and dog walkers, that take you to secret hidden ponds and the river’s edge, with glimpses of wading birds, and other wildlife in the heart of the city.

And here are some ideas for what to do when you get there

Trail conversion at LaBagh Woods (photo by Peter Stodder)

Chicago River at LaBAgh Woods (photo Justyna Frank)

Chicago Parks

Among Chicago’s robust park scene, which includes world renown destinations like Millenium Park, Lincoln Park, Grant Park, and historic gems like Humbold Park, Jackson Park and Washington Park, there are a few tucked-away pieces of nature that may be more appealing to wanderers seeking escape and serenity:

  • South Shore Nature Sanctuary. It is a sanctuary, indeed. Jutting into Lake Michigan at the south end of South Shore Beach, this secret nature preserve surprises with beautifully restored plant habitats, and is a haven for birds, other wildlife, as well as peace-craving humans.

  • Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. Though not as secluded (it’s just off the busiest recreational trail in Chicago), this is another idyllic, secluded spot smack in the middle of a buzzing metropolis, where you can find the combined magic of lapping waves and birdsong.

  • North Park Village. A hidden urban oasis, nestled in the corner of two thoroughfares, with opportunities for actual hiking over a small network of trails that wind through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna. A pond with seasonal waterfall and generous granite-slab benches just outside is a great place for a coffee outside break.

  • Northerly Island. What was once an airport is now a breathtaking, amazingly secluded wilderness within a stone’s throw of Chicago’s bustling Museum Campus. I have seen more hawks here, and more close-up, than anywhere else in or near the city. It is a must-see, beautifully peaceful spot that provides a satisfying natural escape against dramatic skyline views.

State Parks

There are no State Parks within Cook County. The William Powers State Recreation Area is as close as it gets, and it’s pretty darn great. The preserve hugs the western portion of Wolf Lake, a sprawling body of water straddling the Illinois/Indiana border in the south-eastern corner of the city. Wolf Lake is (almost) encircled by a very civilized bike trail which is a nice place for a leisurely ride.

However, its wild western side is criss-crossed by causeways used by fishermen, but which are also amazing for exploring on foot or by fatbike, and will take you into pockets of wilderness that few Chicagoans have seen.

Camping

Yes, you can camp in Cook County! The FPDCC maintains several year-round modern campgrounds, which include accommodation ranging from tent-camping to heated cabins.

My personal favorite is Camp Bullfrog Lake, located within the Palos system. It’s situated on the edge of a beautiful, placid lake, and it is a very tranquil spot —especially off-season— which can serve as a weekend home-base for exploring the Palos hiking and biking trails. Their tent sites get the prime real estate facing the lake.

Other Forest Preserve campgrounds:

NOTE: unfortunately, bike access to the FDPCC campgrounds from surrounding trails leaves a lot to be desired in terms of traffic and safety, as described in my own Bullfrog Lake adventure. It is certainly doable, but not for the faint of heart. If you decide to bike in, plan your routing carefully, and use extreme caution.

Nature and industry at Wolf Lake (photo by Justyna Frank)

Breakfast outside at Linne Woods (photo Justyna Frank)

Best kept secrets and natural features

  • Cook county has a canyon! The Sagawau Canyon is an extremely fragile natural area which supports rare and unique plant and animal habitat and features the only natural exposure of bedrock in Cook County. Individual access is not allowed, and the area is only available via guided tours.

  • Cook county also has elk! In addition to numerous boating options and a perfect 10-mile biking loop, Busse Woods in suburban Elk Grove Village has a fenced elk pasture where you can view a small herd of these giant deer-cousins.

  • Linne Woods. A secret gem on the North Branch Trail system, this quiet pocket of the woods includes a hideway bluff with beautiful a peaceful views of the Chicago River.

  • Even adventure guides find new things! In researching this I discovered Baker’s Lake tucked away in the town of Barrington, IL, a heron rookery and a bird-lover’s bonanza that comes alive throughout the spring and early summer as a migration and nesting site for a whole slew of avians.

Must DO

  • Paddle Skokie Lagoons . Seasonal kayak rentals are available at Tower Road. This is a great stand-alone outing, or combine it, as I did, with biking and a visit to the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

  • Mountain biking at Palos. The destination for area MTB riders, Palos Forest Preserve boasts a 25+ mile network of off-road trails and MTB sigletrack. While many of the trails are not suitable for beginner riders, the complete Palos trail network includes an additional 20+ miles of more mellow intersecting multi-use and equestrian paths that can be used by off-road cyclists.

    For more info, please see the Palos section of this post, or use the MTB Project map to filter trails by difficulty.

  • Camp in the Forest preserves!

  • Ride on the North Branch Trail. If you travel all the way from Foster and Kostner to the Chicago Botanic Garden, the round trip is almost 40 miles. For a shorter trip, you can start anywhere north of Demspster to experience the especially lovely, and less crowded northern sections of the trail. For a longer trip, you can link to adjacent Lake County trails to travel all the way to the Wisconsin border.

Adjacent Attractions

As mentioned, this fall we will go into a lot more depth with greater Chicago area adventure opportunities, but here’s a little preview of what’s available just a short distance away:

Coming up next: Lake County, IL!

Justyna Frank
Previous

Lake County, IL