Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
About Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
At the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, explore some of the region’s most stunning nature. Located in Highland Park, Illinois, just 25 miles north of Chicago, the Preserve is open year-round free to the public. In August 2023 Openlands donated the Preserve to the Lake County Forest Preserves.
The Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is home to three unique ecosystems — ravines, bluffs, and lakefront — and this is one of the only places in Illinois you can see these natural communities up close. It balances the preserve’s ecological and cultural history, inviting visitors to enjoy panoramic views while contemplating humanity’s impact on the land and the planet.
The 72-acre Preserve is home to three trail systems, and paved trails are ADA-accessible. Art installations and educational signage offer interpretations of the nature around you. To learn more visit: lcfpd.org/fort-sheridan/
More to Explore in Lake County, IL
Volunteer with Openlands
Connecting people to nature where they live.
As innovative protectors and stewards of the land since 1963, Openlands exists to create access to nature for all. Through local alliances, forward vision, and persistent action, Openlands connects and leads conservation work, serving as a guiding voice for communities, organizations, and more effective policy in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region.
