Bunker Hill North Flatwoods

Also called Clayton Smith Flatwoods, Bunker Hill is part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County and features accessible picnic shelters, making it a welcoming space for gatherings and outdoor enjoyment for all visitors.

This site is a large open prairie nestled within a mosaic of oak savanna, oak woodland, mixed hardwood forest, and flatwoods. The complex of high-quality natural areas within the preserve and its place in a long, wide greenway of protected land along the North Branch of the Chicago River makes Bunker Hill a rewarding destination for nature lovers.

In spring evenings, woodcocks take flight for mating rituals in the open spaces of Bunker Hill Prairie. Hepatica and bloodroot bloom in the surrounding oak groves, followed by the state-endangered mountain blue-eyed grass in the savanna. By mid-summer, northern dropseed grass and thousands of mountain mint plants fill the air with their distinctive scents along the trails of the open prairie.

Visitors can also enjoy direct access to the paved North Branch Trail, which links many forest preserves and green spaces from the northwest side of Chicago to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. While relatively flat, the trail is excellent for walking, hiking, biking, and trail running. A 13-mile paved stretch connects Caldwell Woods with Skokie Lagoons, with additional unpaved natural trails winding through woodlands and scenic areas. A 4-mile paved loop around Skokie Lagoons connects the trail to the Botanic Garden.

The round-trip from Caldwell Woods to the Chicago Botanic Garden is a favorite route for long-distance cyclists. While there are several street crossings along the way, the North Branch Trail offers a relatively seamless and scenic journey through a rich natural corridor.