Waterfall Glen is one of highest ranked conservation areas in the county, it contains 422 native plant species, including one state threatened and 36 of special concern. Waterfall Glen's 773-acre "Bluff Savanna", which roughly covers the southern part of the preserve between Argonne National Laboratory and the Des Plaines River, is a natural Midwestern oak savanna. Over 300 species of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles and another 300 species of invertebrates use the forest preserve, either year-round or during their migrations. Waterfall Glen's tallgrass prairies, bogs, and Midwestern oak savannas contain 740 native plant species, 75 percent of all the plants known to grow naturally in DuPage County. Patrick Cemetery nestled deep in the preserve. Hikers can also make the interior trip to St. It is also home to a popular model airplane field, located in the southwest section of the forest preserve. It completely surrounds Argonne National Laboratory. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped restore the waterfall to its naturally tiered state, after years of erosion due to runoff from a nearby mill. Rocky Glen Falls, the largest waterfall in the preserve, is actually a natural dam in the valley glen. It contains several waterfalls on Sawmill Creek as it empties into the Des Plaines River. Waterfall Glen is a forest preserve in Downers Grove Township, DuPage County, Illinois, between the towns of Darien and Lemont, covering 2,492 acres (1,008 ha). on April 17): This article previously referenced “Starved Rock” as a national park, however it is a state park.Sawmill Creek Waterfall, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, Lemont, Illinois The trails loop around the park and offer many options for not only hiking but also biking, horseback riding, fishing and even cross-country skiing.Įditor’s note (4:33 p.m. The river offers lots of spots to rest and throw stones into the clear water. Kankakee River : Hiking trails near the Kankakee River are the furthest away from Chicago on the list, but carries its own flair making the drive worthwhile. There are 36.7 miles of trails that are used for a variety of activities such as hiking, walking, biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Its many trees are become vivid green in the spring and mellow orange, brown and yellow shades in the autumn. The trail offers both paved and unpaved trails that wind near city streets and into a quiet forest where deer roam. North Branch Trail System : Built as a bicycle trail, North Branch Trail is a bridge between city and forest life. The waterfall that the preserve is named for is actually a dam that is blended into its environment. The main limestone trail is 9.5 miles long made for hikers and bicyclists. The preserve also offers hundreds of plant and animal species. Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve : Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve offers flat and peaceful traditional forest hiking on their trails. Nowadays, the Indiana Dunes offer a variety of terrain, length and difficulty options with majestic views of Lake Michigan and over 50 miles of trails. These unique dunes were formed thousands of years ago by moraines during the Wisconsin Glacial Period. Indiana Dunes : Located besides Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes State Park is not a normal shoreline hike - its many sand dunes integrate a landscape that is both smooth and unique. Still, Starved Rock offers its main trails all the way down each hip of the Illinois River as long as masks are worn and proper social distancing is mandated, making its main geographical attractions still viewable. There is also no more swimming or wading in bodies of water in the park. However, not all trails are available due to current COVID-19 policies. It gloats 13 miles of trails and 18 canyons that work alongside streams and waterfalls making for a calm and natural setting. Starved Rock State Park : Named after a Native American legend, Starved Rock offers a quick change of scenery just an hour and half from downtown Chicago. Here are five popular places to hike near Chicago: “It is a great way to relax the mind and take a break from the more fast-paced elements of modern life, as well as that it is a great way to appreciate nature,” he said. Senior Ramsey Radwan recently hiked in multiple national parks across different American states. Exhausted by the concrete streets and buildings, hiking spots near Chicago provide a good option to get a breath of fresh air while exploring greenery and wildlife. With the beginning of spring and weather warming up, outside activities are beginning to be more appealing.
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