Deer Grove Forest Preserve

Cook County

Featured In

Palatine, Illinois
Distance from Chicago: 40 miles; 1-hour drive
Hike distance: 15.5 miles
Deer Grove is the oldest forest preserve in Cook County, offering multi-level, mixed-use trails for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and runners alike. The preserve encompasses roughly 1,800 acres of ravines, forests, savannas, ponds, wetlands, and prairies, and its topographical diversity is exactly what makes it so alluring—for both wildlife and people. For hikers, the 3.9-mile Western Loop is an easy route and can be completed in less than two leisurely hours, while the moderate 5.7-mile Yellow Loop Trail features a few more inclines and promises to get you back to where you started in a little over two hours if you hustle. Be sure to check out the map for a list of trails before you head out, and if you’re aiming to picnic the afternoon away, head to Deer Grove East, where shelters, comfort stations, and water fountains await.

While you’re there, consider popping over to Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve, a 408-acre suburban sanctuary lined with 5.5 miles of gravel paths, bridges, and boardwalks. Bonus? If you bring your own rods, you might even be able to catch a fish or two in the well-stocked reservoir.

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