Overview
There is a lot of variety in this gently rolling landscape of woodlands, prairie and marsh. One area, designated as a protected Illinois Nature Preserve, was never farmed and thus is rich in rare native plants. It even supports a tamarack bog, a rarity in this region. Bluebirds fill the nest boxes dotting the property, springtime ponds fill to the brim with noisy frogs, summer prairie grasses tower over visitors, and year-round glimpses of deer, hawks and other wildlife abound.
Six miles of gravel trails are open for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. In winter, snowmobilers have access to 4.5 miles of trails that tie into adjacent snowmobile trails on private land. A 1-mile grass trail in the far northeastern section of the preserve can be accessed from Cedar Lake Road. The trail extends to Fairfield Road, across from Lake Villa Township’s Caboose Park. Across from the parking lot is a public boat launch on Long Lake for cartop boats like canoes, kayaks or other small non-motorized watercraft. Please keep dogs leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them.