Experience one of Lake County’s most unique natural landscapes at Gander Mountain Forest Preserve in Antioch. Spanning 298 acres, the preserve is home to Lake County’s highest natural elevation, reaching 957 feet above sea level. The 125-foot hill was shaped by deposits left behind as the Laurentide glacier retreated from the region thousands of years ago.

The preserve features a mix of oak-hickory woodland and floodplain forest, offering visitors a glimpse into the geological and natural history that helped shape northern Lake County. Historical records add another layer to the site’s story a government land surveyor documented a Native American garden in this area in 1836.

Gander Mountain is a more rustic preserve and does not have maintained trails, designated public parking or visitor facilities. Visitors should plan accordingly and use caution, particularly along Wilmot Road, where roadside parking can be hazardous due to limited sight lines and fast-moving traffic.

Location: 43419 W. Wilmot Road, Antioch
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–sunset, daily

Gander Mountain is part of the Lake County Forest Preserve.