Top Things to do in Illinois
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Top 10 Forests in Illinois, United States
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including Lake County Forest Preserves, Hickory Creek Preserve, Shawnee National Forest, St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Forest Park Nature Center, Blackwell Forest Preseve, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, Swallow Cliff Stairs, Spitler Woods State Park.
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1. Lake County Forest Preserves
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By H5425JNhelens
Enjoyed another delightful hike on the paths of the forest preserve. They are very well maintained. You can hike for different distances but it is always well maintained and beautiful. We enjoyed the wildlife. We felt very safe on the path.
2. Hickory Creek Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By JeanneM196 - New Lenox, United States
I walk or bike here often. The two parking lots are set back from the road, so you hear no traffic. There are two picnic pavilions. The furthest one has a great view of the open prairie. The paved trail is well maintained. It meandered through the prairie and into the woods to Hickory Creek and eventually to the Township offices on Rt. 30. It's beautiful in any season.
3. Shawnee National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By RamblingBadger - Peoria, United States
We had a great trip to the Shawnee National Forest We stayed in Marion. It was only about a 25 minute drive from many attractions but it has a lot of hotel and eating options. Very easy place to stay. The first day we visited Metropolis to see Fort Massac. Loved the huge statue of Superman in Metropolis, lots of photo opts. The Fort was good, you can walk through it in less than 30 minutes with a great view of the Ohio river. The park it is in a great for picnicing. We visited the Kincaid Mounds. The road to get to them was partially dirt and went through very rural IL. Mounds were huge and you could view them from an observation area. It was a pretty long drive for a 10 minute viewing. We drove on the Ohio Scenic Byway which took us through several small towns, not a lot of views of the River. The Chocolate Factory was a great place to stop for ice cream. We also stopped at Cave in the Rock which was in a nice park to walk through to check out the cave. It was nice to see. As others have said make sure you fill up with gas before going in the National Forest- I don't know if we saw a gas station and the points of interest are spread out. Also good to bring a picnic lunch. Not many food places to stop at but plenty of great places for picnicing. Driving through the Forest was very good. We hiked at Garden of the Gods which had great views. We liked the hiking at Rim Rock even better. Great picnic area at Rim Rock and cool hike into a sheltered glen. Take the left path and then go down the stairs. Read the educational markers and enjoy the hike of less than two miles on a good trail into the hollow by a beautiful stream. We went to Giant City and the Stone Fort trail, both of these trails were interesting but not as impressive as the views at G of G or the quiet of Rim Rock. We stopped at Makanda which was really only a handful of shops. While you are in the area stop by one of the many wineries. We stopped at Feather Hills, people were nice, setting was comfortable, and wine was good. What a great way to end a day. Great Forest, we would love to go back again in the fall to see the colors.
4. St. James Farm Forest Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Toyota1994 - Chicago, United States
Rode bike in the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville on a balmy day in early December and enjoyed the beautiful ride. The crushed stone trail is approximately a 2-mile loop. The trail is pretty flat and the scenery was lovely in spite of the trees being bare. The trail has connectors to the Illinois Prairie Path, DuPage River trail and the Herrick Lake trail. There are interesting pieces of the McCormick’s art collection on display along the trail. In addition to the trail, the other feature is the original Horse Farm itself at the center of the preserve. One can walk around and read up on the features. A beautiful horse sculpture at the parking lot is very inviting. St. James Farm Forest Preserve is a place certainly a place worth visiting solely or as a group.
5. Forest Park Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
A Peoria Park District facility, Forest Park serves as the doorway to more than 500 acres designated as part of the Illinois State Nature Preserve. The center provides visitors with more than seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling stream beds, and over dramatic hillsides. The A-frame trail head features a small natural history museum, nature store, and a room dedicated to bird-watching. Trails and museum are free and open to the public. NO PETS ALLOWED!
Reviewed By pfarrell20 - Chillicothe, United States
I love going to forest park and have been going with members of my family for years. It is one of the best hiking trails that I’ve ever been on!
6. Blackwell Forest Preseve
7. Homer Lake Forest Preserve
8. Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By illinoistravelere
See my earlier reviews (June 2, 2015; October 1, 2019; and April 13, 2020) for more details. Today I hiked the birding loop which really showcases everything the preserve has to offer --spectacular views of Lake Michigan, prairies, ravines, bluffs, a military cemetery, the Hawk Watch volunteer station (August to November), bridges, historical signage, trails, woodland, pebble beach, etc. It sounds like a lot, but it's very doable. It can all be seen in a two-mile hike. Don't leave the area without admiring the attractive 19th-century limestone buildings (officers' quarters, etc.) in the nearby "historic district". They have been repurposed into modern residences. Sixty four of those handsome buildings were designed by eminent architecture firm Holabird & Roche. They designed some of the world's first skyscrapers. By 1920 they were one of the largest architecture firms in the country. Their work on the Palmer House is world-renown. There is also a 54-acre parade ground. Before the fort was decommissioned in 1993, we would come for the inspiring and patriotic July 4th fireworks display.
9. Swallow Cliff Stairs
10. Spitler Woods State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By barkus1968 - Saint Louis, United States
This is a magical forest of original Illinois forest. The short Red Oak Ramble trail is a lovely half mile walk. Enjoy the the photos.
