Chicago is a big city. It has 2.7 million people calling it home, and when you include the surrounding suburbs, that number jumps up close to 10 million. It is a city of concrete and iron. Cars and skyscrapers. Although Chicago actually is a relatively green city, in the sense that there are lots of trees lining city streets, several good sized parks and green spaces, and of course the waterfront. And its suburbs are quite green too. Trees are abundant, and forest preserves are everywhere. There are about 50 forest preserves in Lake County (the next county north) alone.
But it is still a city. And sometimes you just need to get away from all the noise and chaos that comes with any big city. Sometimes you need to immerse yourself in nature.
And right now, during the Coronavirus Year, more people than ever are looking for close to home, outdoor escapes to fulfill their desire to travel, without pushing the social distancing boundaries.
So where should a Chicagoan, or suburban Illinoisian, go to find the best nature near Chicago?
Green spaces are actually quite numerous in Illinois
Into Illinois Wilderness
Most people don’t know just how much nature there is in Illinois. Chicago kind of dominates the entire state, even though it really is a relatively small part of it. The rest of the state is a mix of suburbs, smaller cities, a lot of farmland, a surprising amount of water, and more natural spaces than you would expect.
There are 309 state natural areas in Illinois.
Yes you read that right! That is a lot. Fifty five of those are State Parks. The rest are a variety of other natural areas, such as State Conservation Areas, State Recreation Areas, State Forests, and so on. Far too many to list all of them here. So instead, I’ve listed the best.
Needless to say there are a lot of options. And while Illinois is well and truly part of the flatlands (no mountains here) there is still a good variety of landscapes to choose from.
Some of the most interesting natural features in the state are waterfronts, rock formations, floodplains, prairies, and a variety of forests.
Illinois is full of natural beauty. Photo taken at Moraine Hills State Park
The Best Rock Formations in Illinois
Topping this list of places to find interesting rocks in Illinois is Starved Rock State Park. It is about an 1.5 hours outside of the city. And is best known for its sandstone canyons and waterfalls. Though being so close to the city it can get busy.
The Garden of the Gods is another place to see some interesting rock formations. Located in southern Illinois, this one is a bit further from the city (5.5 hours) and therefore less likely to get as busy. It got its name from the fact that it looks like giants, or Gods, scattered the boulders and sandstone bluffs around by hand.
The Garden of the Gods. Probably one of the best views in the entire state
Located about 45 minutes away from the Garden of the Gods is another place with some pretty awesome rock formations to hike through, Giant City State Park. This one is a little quieter than the Garden of the Gods, and bigger. It is well worth checking out.
Trillium Trail in Giant City State Park
If you like bluffs overlooking a pretty river, check out Mississippi Palisades State Park. This one is located right on the Mississippi River and the views are of Iowa on the far side. It is located 2.5 hours directly west of the city, close enough to easily do in a day, but far enough to avoid the worst of the crowds.
A smaller, but closer and less well known option is Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. This one would make a quick and easy day trip from Chicago. Or even shorter if you live in the northern suburbs. Located right on the shores of Lake Michigan in the town of Highland Park, this one is a mere 45 minutes outside of the city.
Bluffs along river banks are some of the most abundant rock formations you can find in this state. And most of them are very pretty. This one is located in White Pines Forest State Park
Best Waterfronts in Illinois
I’m not counting the waterfront in the city, of course, because it is definitely not ‘wild.’ Though it is pretty and it is an easy open for city dwellers.
If you are looking for some beach time outside of the city, head north to Illinois Beach State Park. This park is right on the border with Wisconsin in the town of Zion. It has some very nice dune hiking trails, and a public swimming beach. Be forewarned that it can get busy on hot summer weekends. If you can visit during the week, do it. Or visit in the spring and fall if you don’t plan on swimming. The landscape here is surprisingly beautiful. The dunes look more like they belong on the shores of an ocean than on the shores of a lake.
Illinois Beach State Park is an awesome stop on a hot summer day.
There are a couple more very nice beach options not far from Chicago along the shores of Lake Michigan, But since the Illinois section of the Great Lake is fairly small, you will find the other options described below in the Wisconsin and Indiana sections.
But Illinois is full of smaller lakes too. And you can find some of them at Chain-O-Lakes State Park. Chain-O-Lakes has 488 miles of shoreline! Some of that is river shoreline, and some of it is along edges the lakes within the park. Needless to say, this State Park is very popular with boaters, though it is not so much a swimming park. It also has hiking trails, several well spaced out picnic areas, and a campground. This park is also located close to the Wisconsin border in Northern Lake County. It is about an hour and 20 minutes north of Chicago.
Waves on the beach at Illinois Beach State Park. The water here is often a surprising shade of turquoise, and the sand dunes look like they belong on an side of the ocean, not an inland lake.
Illinois Amazing Floodplain
Being such a flat state, flooding is a common occurrence around here, and it has been for thousands of years. Down in the tip of Southern Illinois is a floodplain that stands out in the crowd. Although the flooding that created this area happened a very long time ago when the glaciers were on the move. Today the Cache River State Natural Area is a swamp. But a really cool one. Here you can see huge, ancient cypress and tupelo trees with trunks as big as 40 feet around. This is the northernmost Bayou in the country. You don’t have to go all the way to New Orleans to see a true Bayou!
Floating boardwalks leading through the bayou in Cache River State Natural Area
The Best Forests in Illinois
If trees are your thing, head to one of these awesome Illinois forests.
White Pines Forest State Park is one of my favorites. The hiking trails here are natural, only a few spots of paving or gravel, and they lead through some very beautiful forest. Two creeks pass through the park, and along those creeks are sections of rock bluffs that are very pretty. In the spring and summer the forest floor erupts with wildflowers. This really is a beautiful place. And its only 2 hours outside of Chicago
White Pines Forest State Park has some very nice rugged hiking trails and beautiful scenery.
Southern Illinois is absolutely full of natural places. The Garden of the Gods and the Cache River floodplain are both down here. But so is Shawnee National Forest. This is a pretty big area and encompasses quite a few attractions. Garden of the Gods is actually part of Shawnee. But there are also caves at Cave in Rock, boardwalks through Heron Pond, a natural land bridge called Pomona Bridge, and of course plenty of forest. And it’s all about 5 hours from the city.
Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois
About 3 hours southwest of Chicago, one of the states most interesting landscapes is located oddly in the middle of corn fields. Sand Ridge State Forest lives up to its name. Sand… and forest… two things that don’t often go together. This is Illinois biggest State Forest. And it does have a lot of trees. But it also has sand prairies mixed in. When you combine the two it makes for some very interesting landscape that is well worth checking out. Be prepared for sandy trails and watch out for cactus. Yes… cactus!
The Best Prairie in Illinois
Much of the Midwest was prairieland before people came in. And while most of that is gone today, there are still pockets of it left where you can see what things once looked like.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Central Illinois
ust one hour outside of Chicago, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is Illinois best example of how a lot of this area use to look. It even has a herd of bison! The bison herd is part of a conservation experiment. Part of what kept the original prairies looking the way they did was large herbivores living in it. So these bison are here for study about how they effect the restoration of prairielands.
Bison aren’t the only awesome wildlife you can find living in Illinois prairies
Wild Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a pretty easy drive from Chicago. And this state has a lot of nature to offer. There are campgrounds all over the place, state parks and forests, and even a National Lakeshore (more on that one below.)
Some of the best nature spots in Wisconsin are:
Door County is certainly known for more than nature spots, its food scene is growing in popularity (try the cherry pie) and there are plenty of quaint little villages to visit. But it also has some beautiful landscapes. The lakeshore itself is very nice, and it has several parks to choose from. Door Bluff County Park, Cave Point County Park, Newport State Park, Peninsula State Park, Whitefish Dunes State Park, and the offshore Rock Island State Park to name a few.
Another popular Wisconsin spot is Devil’s Lake State Park. In fact this is the most visited State Park in Wisconsin, and only 3.5 hours from Chicago. If you are looking for somewhere quiet, this one may not be the best choice simply because of how popular it is. But it is popular for a good reason. There is a good sized lake with bluffs around it that provides some very nice hiking. The rock formations are interesting and there is even a large boulder balanced on one end sitting on top of another boulder that is probably one of the most photographed rocks in the state.
Wisconsin also boasts the longest chain of interconnected lakes in the world. Chain-O-Lakes lives up to its name. There are 28 lakes to be exact. And you can reach them in just 3.5 hours from Chicago. Boaters and fisherman will be in heaven here. And there are plenty of hiking trails to choose from for those who prefer to keep their feet dry.
Lakeside is a great place to spend those long summer days
Niagara Falls in Wisconsin. Wait, what? Yep! There is a place in High Cliff State Park called “The Ledge,” and that ledge is part of an escarpment (cliff/ledge/whatever you want to call it) that runs all the way to Niagara Falls in New York State. In Wisconsin the ledge isn’t as big as the world famous falls, but it is still very pretty. There are waterfalls (smaller ones,) caves, and even fossils. Along with pictographs and effigy mounds from ancient Native Americans. Be sure to check out Lookout Tower for some great views while you are here. This state park is just over 3 hours from Chicago.
The fourth tallest waterfall east of the Rockies is in Pattison State Park, Wisconsin. Coming in at 165 feet tall, Big Manitou Falls is well worth a spot on your Instagram feed. Though at almost 7 hours away, this State Park is about as far from Chicago as you can get and still be in Wisconsin. Yet there is quite a bit to do in this area on the shores of Lake Superior. The Falls, a National Lakeshore (see below), the Porcupine Mountains (Michigan), and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are all in this area. Make it a week long trip and visit everything.
Wisconsin has some pretty great spots to set up a tent and enjoy some time sitting around a campfire
Pure Michigan
Michigan has a lot of variety of nature to offer. Towering sand dunes, large swaths of forest, lakeshores, islands, rivers, and more. There is a reason they have chosen “Pure Michigan” as their slogan.
Some of the only real mountains in the whole Eastern Midwest are in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Porcupine Mountains are also one of the biggest stretches of forest in the Midwest. Huge forest plus mountains, that’s a pretty awesome mix for the outdoor lover. Well worth the 7 hour drive. Within this region you can find The Lake of the Clouds with nice hiking trails and pretty views, endless forest hiking, and Lake Superior is a short drive away. As is Pattison State Park in Wisconsin (mentioned above.)
Care for the color of the Caribbean? Check out Torch Lake. Located on the far side of Lake Michigan, this one is about a 5 hour drive from the city. It is Michigan’s second longest inland lake, 19 miles long. And is known for its color. Which it gets from its shallow sand bar and clear water. Just one word of warning though, this is a pretty popular spot. So while it is beautiful and definitely counts as an outdoor escape from the city, it is not really an escape from people, especially during the hot summer months.
Did you know that Michigan has a National Park?
Isle Royale National Park is a small chain of islands in the middle of Lake Superior. It is one of the countries least visited national parks. Which is mostly because of its location, and certainly has nothing to do with quality. Because it is beautiful. (Read about all the Lesser Visited National Parks in the Lower 48 and why you should visit them.) If you really want to get away from it all, this is probably the best place in the whole Eastern Midwest to do it. Just be prepared for some real outdoor adventure. At the moment the ferry service is not running due to covid19, so the only way to get there is by seaplane. But if you choose to go on this adventure, you will have plenty of wilderness all to yourself.
Take the M-22 Scenic Drive. This drive starts in Manistee and runs 117 miles to Traverse City. It passes a lot of pretty places along the way, following the coast of Lake Michigan. Plan on a few stops for viewing the many lighthouses, a quick swim in the lake, or just to lay on one of the many beaches you will pass by.
Or visit one of Michigan’s two National Lakeshores (described below) Sleeping Bear Dunes or Apostale Islands.
Waterfalls and rocky bluffs are abundant in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. And they can be especially impressive during the winter when they turn to ice.
Michigan is the Best Winter Escape from Chicago
If you like snow and all the awesome outdoor activities that come with it, head to Michigan during the winter. In particular, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This area is in the snow shadow of Lake Superior, which means it gets a lot of snow. Cross country skiing, snow snowmobiling, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, ice climbing, ice skating, and more are all easy to find in the Upper Peninsula each winter.
Exploring the Eben Ice Caves in Michigan in January
Follow The Mississippi
Another awesome road trip adventure is the Great River Road. This trek follows the Mississippi River 3000 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. But part of that passes long the borders of Wisconsin and Illinois. Drive the whole thing or choose to stay closer to home by just doing part of it. Either way, it is a pretty drive. There are numerous view points along the way, lots of historic sites, and of course the river itself.
The Eastern Midwest section starts in Prescott Wisconsin, and ends in southern Illinois. Rocky bluffs along the banks of the river make for some very nice pictures and places to sit and enjoy the views.
One of the stops along the Great River Road is Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna Illinois
Into Indiana
There is a place in Indiana that is known across the country, Indiana Sand Dunes National Park. This one certainly does not make the list of least visited National Parks. It’s popular, and for a good reason. Those sand dunes are impressive! The tallest one is 123 feet high. Though the park is big enough (50 miles worth of trails to choose from) that unless you are right on the waters edge, it generally doesn’t feel too crowded. And the best part is that it is very close to Chicago, only 1 hour away.
Less well known than the Dunes is Brown County State Park. Don’t let the name fool you, it is actually best known for its bright colors. Fall foliage colors that is. While the forest makes for a pleasant escape anytime, plan your visit for the fall if you want to see some of that foliage. It is about 4 hours from the city.
Nothing quite beats the colors of the trees in the fall. Another fall foliage getaway that is well worth checking out but is about 5 hours from Chicago is the Driftless Region at the tri state border of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Another lovely Indiana nature escape is Shades State Park. This little gem is about 45 minutes west of Indianapolis and about 3 hours south of Chicago. There are hiking trails here that run right up the bottom of stream ravines. And the campground has some nice secluded spaces for the camper who doesn’t like to be crowded in.
National Lakeshores
Did you know that there are only three national lakeshores in the entire country? And that all three of them happen to be within driving distance of Chicago? That is a good deal for Chicagoans!
Apostale Islands National Lakeshore
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has impressive cliffs and windy beaches, 12 miles of mainland and 21 islands. This place is well known for its many lighthouses as well. Put there to keep ships from running aground in the dangerous waters. And sometimes they failed. But because of that you can scuba dive on one of 4 accessible shipwrecks here. Just keep in mind that this is not tropical water! You will probably need to be drysuit certified to dive comfortably here. There is also boating, camping, fishing, swimming and hiking to do. And while the mainland is easy to reach, check conditions right before visiting because bad weather, ice, and of course covid-19 closures, can disrupt access to the islands. Admission is free, though boat rides to the islands are not. This one is about 7.5 hours from Chicago.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Lake Michigan’s National Lakeshore is all about sand. There are dunes here, big ones! The tallest dune is 450 feet high, taller than Indiana Dunes National Park. That makes for some pretty great views of the lake. There is also hiking, camping, swimming, and canoeing to do here. Aside from the beach and dunes, there is also forest, marsh, several lighthouses, and a couple of islands to explore. You can reach it in 5.5 hours from Chicago.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
This is Lake Superiors other National Lakeshore. At 6.5 hours from Chicago, it runs along the edge of the Great Lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from Munising to Grand Marais almost 50 miles away. The namesake “pictured rocks” which are a stretch of bluffs colored from minerals dripping down the face of the rock, is about a 15 mile stretch of this area. There are lots of hiking trails to choose from, or get on a boat and view it from the water.
All of the National Lakeshores include lighthouses. This one is in Au Sable town in Pictured Rocks.
More Than Imagined
The Midwest Region is rarely listed in any nature escape magazine or story. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t natural beauty to be found here! You just need to know where to look to find it.
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