Best Family-Friendly Nature Walks Around Chicago

Sarah D. said:  Pratt's Wayne Woods is the largest forest preserve in DuPage County registering 3,433 acres and home to the Brewster Creek Marsh Nature Preserve. The trails offer 12 miles of hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding for visitors. The Lake Trail offers a 1.6 mile hike through ponds, marsh and wetlands. While the trails are not paved, there are two stroller, wheelchair accessible docks at Lake Pickerel for fishing. The park maintains access to picnic areas and restrooms.

Sarah D. said:  Crabtree Nature Trails meander through 1,182 acres of woodland, wetland and prairie that is renowned for the presence of migratory birds. Over 260 species have been recorded within the sanctuary of Crabtree. Little bird-watching enthusiasts can walk along several miles of trails to visit the animal enclosures or a nature play area or return to the Nature Center for hands-on exhibit fun! With picnic facilities nearby, Crabtree has everything your family needs to spend a beautiful afternoon in nature.

Sarah D. said:  The trails system at Moraine Hills offers more than 10 miles of open space for hikers, bikers and nature-goers of all kinds. Three of the trails are flat, well-maintained crushed limestone, such as the 2-mile Fox River Trail which offers scenic views of the Fox River. Another particularly family-friendly trail is the River Road trail which is 1.7 miles long and paved for easy stroller access. With Concessions on hand, this park offers the perfect day in nature for families.

Sarah D. said:  Glacial Park is a hidden gem in McHenry County! The park is almost 3,500 acres with 5 miles of trails that weave through creeks, forests and marsh. The most family-friendly way to tackle this park is to start at the Lost Valley Visitor Center which contains environmental and educational exhibits, special programming, self-guided tours and trail maps! From the visitor center, traverse any number of trails - the Marsh Loop trail is a manageable 1.1 miles with easy access to and from the visitor center parking.

Sarah D. said:  Starved Rock has a system of trails that lead through sandstone cliffs and rocky canyons. These trails are unpaved, so stroller use is not an option. But, some of the easier trails are perfect for young ones. We recommend the trail to Starved Rock (about 15 minutes from the Visitor Center) or the French Canyon trail rated moderate-easy to easy, respectively. These hikes offer incredible views of the Illinois River, canyons and amazing wildlife - including bald eagles, seasonally.