Chicagoland's Best Parks and Nature Trails to Enjoy During the Spring

Spring has officially arrived in Chicagoland, and there's truly no better time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Fortunately, we live in a city with truly exceptional urban parks and trails. Join our real estate agents at some of our favorite hiking spots in the Chicago area this season!

• Lakefront Trail - 900 W Ardmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
  Stretching 18 miles through several Chicago neighborhoods, the Lakefront Trail is a tremendous resource for hiking, jogging, and cycling along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The northern terminus of the trail is at the end of Ardmore Avenue in Edgewater. From there, the Lakefront Trail extends southward through a nearly unbroken stretch of natural areas and parks to its southern endpoint at South Shore Beach.
  
  
• Bunker Hill Forest Preserve - W Harts Rd, Niles, IL 60714
  Spanning 340 acres, the Bunker Hill Forest Preserve consists of largely undeveloped flatland forests, wooded hills, and grasslands crisscrossed by hiking trails. Part of a network of preserves encompassing over 70,000 acres in Cook County, Bunker Hill includes a section of the 20-mile North Branch Trail System, which connects it to neighboring preserves along the North Branch Chicago River. The preserve is located in the village of Niles in Chicago's northwest suburbs. 
  
  
• West Ridge Nature Park - 5801 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
  A lovely urban oasis in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, West Ridge Nature Park is a 21-acre park that borders the equally beautiful Rosehill Cemetery. The park's diverse woodland, wetland, and lagoon habitat is crisscrossed by hiking trails and also includes a 4.5-acre fishing pond.
  
  
• Des Plaines River Trail - N Cook County, Chicago, IL 60634
  Following the course of its namesake river, the Des Plaines River Trail meanders through Chicago's Northwest Side for more than 50 miles, traversing villages including Elmwood Park and Des Plaines. The trail is unpaved and open to a wide variety of non-motorized uses, including hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Leashed pets are also allowed on the trail, which passes through a series of wooded parks and preserves and also provides excellent fishing access to the Des Plaines River. 
  
  
• Humboldt Park - 1400 N Humboldt Dr, Chicago, IL 60622
  In its namesake Humboldt Park neighborhood, the scenic Humboldt Park Natural Area includes several hiking trails that wind through a varied landscape of woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. The park is a popular area for nature walks on the city's West Side, and highlights include the 2.1-mile loop formed by the Humboldt Park Lagoon and Beach trails. 
  
  
• Garfield Park Conservatory - 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
  The Garfield Park Conservatory is a sprawling botanical garden and arboretum that includes indoor as well as outdoor nature areas within the larger Garfield Park. Located a few miles west of the West Loop, the conservatory is open free of charge to Chicago residents and includes 10 acres of manicured gardens. The indoor gardens, enclosed under glass, offer a chance to experience nature on a rainy day. 
  
  
• Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve - Northgate Rd, Darien, IL 60561
  Less than a 40-minute drive from Downtown Chicago, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is a spectacular hiking destination in Darien. Known for its extensive trail system, scenic overlooks, and the picturesque Rocky Glen waterfall, this 2,000-acre preserve is also popular for horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. More than 750 native plants and 300 animal species make it a haven for nature lovers.

Contact us today to learn more about exploring Chicago's beautiful parks and trails, and be sure to ask our real estate agents about finding your Chicagoland dream home.