Sand Ridge Nature Center
About Sand Ridge Nature Center
Sand Ridge Nature Center’s 235 acres offer trails for easy hiking. From ¼-mile to 2 miles long, each trail passes through a number of habitats, including prairies, oak savannas and woodlands on ancient beaches and sand dunes, marshes and ponds. Come in April and May for a wonderful spring woodland wildflower display, in summer for colorful prairie wildflowers, and return in autumn for colorful leaves. Spring and fall bring numerousbirds that stop to rest and feed in the different habitats. Fans of dragonflies and butterflies are treated to their aerial displays on warm days. Winter finds snow highlighting the graceful shapes of trees and shrubs, the cheery calls and colors of our resident winter birds, and the tracks of more secretive animals.
More to Explore in Cook 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.
