We launched this blog in 2021 and made even more effort than usual to see all the amazing nature escapes in the Midwest. This year we focused on destinations within a few hours of Chicago. Here is a list of 21 Midwest Nature Escapes we enjoyed in 2021.
Indiana
1. Shades State Park
Location: Waveland, Indiana
Rose: Beautiful sandstone cliffs
Thorn: Some of the hikes are not ideal for dogs because there are ladders
Visit our blog post on Shades State Park
2. Turkey Run State Park
Location: Marshall, Indiana
Rose: Variety of hikes with different skill levels
Thorn: Certain sports on the hike can get crowded
Visit our blog post on Turkey Run State Park
3. Celery Bog Nature Area
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Rose: The entire walk is along water, and water is good for the soul
Thorn: The walk is very short, you might want to loop around a few times to get exercise
Michigan
4. Warren Woods State Park
Location: Three Oaks, Michigan
Rose: A loop hike, we love a good loop
Thorn: Short path, so you might plan to do a few loops around the park
Illinois
5. Herrick Lake
Location: Wheaton, Illinois
Rose: Really nice forest preserve – lots of paths and picnic areas to enjoy your day.
Thorn: Traveling from Chicago out to the suburbs
6. Weldon Springs State Park
Location: Clinton, Illinois
Rose: Lots of picnic tables and benches to stop along the trail for lunch
Thorn: Since the hiking trails are around a lake, you have to make it all the way around. Our pups got tired and there was not a straight shot back
7. Busse Woods
Location: Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Rose: Diverse ecosystems and lots of trail options
Thorn: Some trails are more crowded than others and the bike riders can be a little reckless
8. Sterne’s Woods and Fen Nature Preserve
Location: Crystal Lake, Illinois
Rose: Only a few people visit this park which makes it ideal for hiking with dogs
Thorn: There is one very large hill that is difficult to climb with little kids or a stroller
Visit our blog post on Sterne’s Woods and Fen Nature Preserve
9. Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve
Location: Richmond, Illinois
Rose: The wildflowers are just beautiful
Thorn: Bees–lots of bees
Visit our blog post on Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve
10. The Morton Arboretum
Location: Lisle, Illinois
Rose: The art sculptures you see along the hiking trails
Thorn: You have to pay to enter the park when you drive there
Visit our blog post on The Morton Arboretum
11. Illinois Beach State Park
Location: Zion, Illinois
Rose: Wide variety of ecosystems and hiking trails–sand dunes to forests
Thorn: Dogs are not allowed in all parts of the park
Chicago, Illinois
12. Jackson Park
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rose: Such a fun way to get a forest preserve vibe in the middle of the city
Thorn: The Japanese Garden is not dog friendly. The rest of the park is though + has a dog park, Jackson Bark.
13. Northerly Island Nature Preserve
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rose: The view is unbelievable: water, wildflowers, sky, and the Chicago skyline
Thorn: No dogs allows
Visit our blog post on Northerly Island
14. Promontory Point
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rose: The only place on the lakefront path that you can have a fire. They have a handful of firepits you can enjoy a bonfire at while enjoying the amazing views Chicago has to offer.
Thorn: The firepits are first come first serve – get there early.
Visit our blog post Best Parks on Chicago’s Lakefront
15. Burnham Park
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rose: Best of both worlds with nature + city walk. We like to walk north on the lake front path to see the skyline and then circle back and head south through the nature paths within the park.
Thorn: When walking on lakefront path, there is no shade. Make sure to pack at hat or sunscreen.
Visit our blog post Best Parks in Chicago for a Walk
Wisconsin
16. Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy
Location: Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Rose: The trail map is very detailed so you can decided how long or short you want to walk
Thorn: Some of the areas can get very muddy which is hard to navigate with dogs or children
Visit our blog post focused on hikes near Twin Lakes
17. White River Park
Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Rose: The river views are our favorite. We recommend eating lunch by the river and taking photos of your pup.
Thorn: Lots of hills so make sure everyone in your party is able to do moderate trails
Visit our blog post focused on hikes near Lake Delavan
18. Big Foot Beach State Park
Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Rose: Beautiful winter hike after a good snow fall
Thorn: Parking fee because it is a state park
Visit our blog post focused on hikes near Lake Geneva
19. Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
Location: Burlington, WIisconsin
Rose: 6 different trails with very different vibes–we hike a different trail every time we are in the area
Thorn: 4 different parking locations and the trails start at different parking lots
Visit our blog post on Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
20. Lake Kegonsa State Park
Location: Stoughton, Wisconsin
Rose: Pet-only beach is perfect for dogs
Thorn: The signage in the park is not extremely clear but not a big deal if you’re spending the entire day there
21. Seno Woodland Center
Location: Burlington, Wisconsin
Rose: Best kept secret–only a few walkers there each time we go
Thorn: No garbage cans along the trail
Visit our blog post on Seno Conservancy Woodland Center
Photos from some of the parks we visited in 2021
Ooh I have a trip to Chicago planned – I’ll have to make a pit stop at Jackson Park!
Hhhhmmmm…the Turkey Run State Park really looks good to me! I would like to go hiking there!
Wow, what a great list and I didn’t know there are so many wonderful places of nature to explore in the midwest! Thanks a lot for sharing this!
You’ve been to all the best places. Thanks for sharing your list and photos.
Great suggestions, I like that it’s all over the US. Thank you for sharing!
Great list! I love to travel but because of the pandemic, I prefer to stay closer to home. You have highlighted some beautiful spots for an active vacation.
These all sound like lovely hikes. It is nice to have some suggestions for good trails. We enjoy doing a lot of hiking as a family and these would be nice to check out.
I would love to do more hiking around the country! There is not much in Texas
Wow! So many parks! I love being in nature, and walking in parks is one of my favorite things to do. Thanks for sharing!
i’m taking notes when i hike in these places someday, thank you! i miss going outdoors and appreciating nature!
My family loves to go on hikes and nature adventures. We’ love to go to some of these parks
I can feel myself more when I’m with nature. there is something relaxing about it and I just feel myself more. Thanks for these suggestions!
Some of those are decent distance to me. We should try out some of those paths sometime.
I haven’t been to any of these states. We are hoping to take a long road trip sometime next year!
These are such gorgeous spots! I’m so glad you shared them. I rarely hear people talk about the midwest when they talk about beauty like this.
am clearly not a fan of Hiking, but love the sport, am the type that is afraid of Hight.