“And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul” – John Muir
I must say, I am absolutely in love with Deer Grove Forest Preserve. I could spend hours exploring this amazing forest, and have! Located in Cook County, Illinois, this park has multiple groves and access points with roughly 15.5 miles of paved and unpaved hiking trails.
Deer Grove has many habitats to explore, including prairies, wetlands, savannas, and woodlands. If you’re just starting out, take an introductory hike along their paved trails. For more advanced hikers, take the Yellow Unpaved Loop, which circles the enclosure.
Even in winter, Deer Grove is teeming with life. From White-Tailed Deer and birds of prey to moss and fungi, there is always new life in the old forest. So pay attention as you trek through this preserve; listen for the calls of birds hiding in the treetops, spy the creeping moss on the treeside, and pause to let the sun hit your face and warm you.
This park is great for the whole family-bring the dog too! Just remember to keep them leashed and clean up after them.
You can also put on your cross-country skis after a fresh snowfall; however, the trails are not tracked, so you’ll have to create your own.
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