You got rid of the bugs, now what? Go enjoy Illinois.
There’s nothing more serene than enjoying nature. Illinois has beautiful forests, trees and lakes to take in. Not only is exploring nature fun and relaxing, it’s also free ( in most cases)! Luckily, living in the beautiful state of Illinois, we have many nature and forest preserves, especially here, in the western suburbs of Chicago. Whether you reside in Plainfield, Algonquin, or anywhere in between, there is a place to take your family for the afternoon. Let’s take a moment to highlight just a few of these peaceful spots.
If you live in the southwest suburbs, try stopping by Lake Renwick Preserve, located just off of Rt. 30 and Renwick Road. It is an 839 acre wetland that includes bird nesting areas, trails and spots for wildlife viewing. If you’re looking for something a little bit more active, Fabyan Forest Preserve isn’t far away, either. Located at 1925 S Batavia Avenue in Geneva. It is filled with great biking and hiking trails and plenty of great fishing spots along the Fox River.
Heading just a little bit north up the river, you’ll find the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, open 8am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Not only is it in a great location with tons of parking, but it also includes the Creek Bend Nature Center, open Monday through Thursday from 10am-4pm and Saturday and Sunday from noon – 4pm. Keep following the river up to Algonquin and you’ll find High Hill Park and Nature Preserve on Kirkland Dr. Out of it’s roughly 30 acre space, 10.4 acres are made up of wetlands. It also has large fields that are perfect for team sports. High Hill park and Nature Preserve is a unique space that combines play and relaxing solitude.
Fresh air, exercise, and family fun – what better way to spend the summer!