Bemis Woods

Bemis Woods, located in Western Springs, is part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is the westernmost preserve in a chain of sites that border Salt Creek from Western Springs to Brookfield. Nestled between the Forest Preserve District’s Meadowlark Golf Course to the northwest and the Salt Creek Woods Nature Preserve to the east, the 480 acres of Bemis Woods offer a wide range of recreational activities.

For those new to forest preserves or simply looking for a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors, Bemis Woods is an ideal destination. It’s easy to find an open space for a picnic, and the site features accessible picnic shelters that make gatherings more comfortable for all visitors. The well-marked, one-mile, unpaved Salt Creek loop trail, shaded by oaks, offers a leisurely hike suitable for visitors of all ages.