Spears Woods

Named after the farmer whose dairy once occupied the land, 477-acre Spears Woods Forest Preserve is a must-see for nature lovers. The unpaved trails wind through sun-dappled open woodlands and sweeping prairie, revealing hidden sloughs and wetlands. The wide and level trails allow visitors to walk at a leisurely pace while watching the scenery unfold.

At 15,000 acres, the Palos Preserves in southwest Cook County are the largest concentration of preserved land in the Forest Preserves. Thanks to more than three decades of habitat restoration, they also hold some of the highest-quality natural areas in the county. These trails join many popular sites, such as the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Pulaski Woods, Saganashkee Slough and Maple Lake which is home to a mountain bike staging area that provides access to almost 40 miles of unpaved trails.