Hampton Inn Chicago-Gurnee

This hike covers the Des Plaines River Trail and all its access points, trailheads, parking, connecting trails, communities, parks, preserves, and facilities (including restrooms and water) between Gurnee and the Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL. The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway traverses Lake County, Illinois, North to South, over 31 miles as it winds its way along with the Des Plaines River connecting preserves, local parks, and communities. Unlike typical...

Grass mowed paths. In the warmer months, and when winter conditions are not good for dog sledding, hikers also can enjoy the mowed trails, but must yield the right of way to dog teams using the warm-weather wheeled training carts.

The preserve offers a short 0.3-mile grass loop trail with overlook, and a 2.7-mile gravel section of the Millennium Trail that stretches through Fourth Lake from just north of Rollins Road to Sand Lake Road where it connects to existing trail at Bonner Farm and McDonald Woods in Lindenhurst. Fourth Lake and its fen ecosystem are home to a variety of state threatened and endangered plant species and could provide habitat for the American bittern and various rails. Fens are rare, often...

Named "Best Dog Park" by North Shore magazine. These 30-acres are just for dogs. An annual or daily permit and a dog are required for entry. Permits allow access to all four Dog Parks. Daily permits can be purchased in advance online or at a self-pay station located in the parking lot of each park. You must have a dog and a permit to enter this park. This 30-acre are just for dogs features fields and wooded areas, and a large pond for swimming and retrieving games. It is fenced on two...

Centered around a 115-acre lake, this preserve offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education. Surrounding prairie and woodlands provide a picturesque backdrop for hiking, biking, picnicking, and other fun activities. Roughly 6.25 miles of trails circle the lake and run through scenic natural areas here. The map on this page shows the 2.5-mile Overlook Trail, which is a paved loop that goes around the outer edge of the preserve. Visitors here may also choose...