Recreation Lake County

Recreation opportunities for all ages are waiting for you...

Lake County’s parks and facilities offer a large range of recreational opportunities to people of all ages, no matter what your interests. Visit the award winning parks of Waukegan, which were recently named best in the nation. Conquer the indoor climbing rock wall at the Canlan Sports in Libertyville or challenge yourself in basketball, soccer, volleyball, or pickleball.

Enjoy family time at the outdoor Turtle Creek Waterpark in Vernon Hills or the water slides at Grayslake’s Aquatic Center. On the other hand, you can always take in a more natural and relaxing setting at one of our local beaches. Bask along six sandy miles of Lake Michigan's shoreline at Illinois State Beach Park or hike one of their walking trails that wind between landscapes of wooded forests and open views of Lake Michigan, spanning out as far as the eye can see. Connect with your inner cowboy and roam free on horseback through Chain O’Lakes State Park and Stables.

Hook the big one on a charter a fishing tour with Captain Rick and challenge the largest of the great lakes as he steers you into the best fishing spots in the open waters of Lake Michigan. Reel in one of the largest Coho or King Salmon that you’ve ever seen and enjoy the breathtaking views of the sunset along the waterline horizon.

So whether you like to hike, run, bike or even cross country ski, there are over 200 miles of trails that wind through 30,000 acres of natural, outdoor beauty in Lake County Forest Preserves, just waiting to be explored.

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Bonner Heritage Farm
(Lindenhurst)
The eight-acre farm is part of McDonald Woods Forest Preserve with a separate entranc...

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Bonnie Brook Golf Course
(Waukegan)
Bonnie Brook Golf Course is one of the most popular public courses in Lake Count...

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Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
(Riverwoods)
Located among pristine woodlands in the Ryerson historic home in Riverwoods, Il., Bru...

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Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve
(Long Grove)
Set amid bustling suburbs, Buffalo Creek is a quiet place to relax and recreate with ...

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Canlan Sports Libertyville
(Libertyville)
Canlan Sports in Libertyville offers something for everyone in the family. A 360°...

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Captain Daniel Wright Woods
(Mettawa)
This peaceful oasis among the bustling suburbs offers 4 miles of scenic trails: a sho...

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Century Park
(Vernon Hills)
The Park's 113 acres, 54 of which are water, includes basketball and volleyball c...

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Chain O'Lakes State Park
(Spring Grove)
Located in the heart of Illinois' largest concentration of natural lakes, Chain O...

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Chicago Botanic Garden
(Glencoe)
With its world-renowned plant collections and displays, is one of the country's m...

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Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve
(Deer Park)
It would be hard to find a prettier blend of marsh, woodland and grassland in Lake Co...

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Cultural & Civic Center of Round Lake Beach
(Round Lake Beach)
Unique facility that provides family and children productions and entertainment throu...

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Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway
(Wadsworth)
The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway protects land along more than 85 percent of ...

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Diamond Lake Beach & Recreational Center
(Mundelein)
Diamond Lake Beach and Recreation Center is 100 acres of bliss. It includes a pr...

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Duck Farm Dog Park
(Lake Villa)
Located in Lake Villa, this special place is one of five designated Dog Parks within ...

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Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area & Welcome Center
(Riverwoods)
Ryerson Woods is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This area is one...

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Ethel's Woods Forest Preserve
(Antioch)
Experience the beauty of this picturesque landscape reminiscent of a north woods sett...

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Fish Lake Beach Campground
(Volo)
Visit Fish Lake Beach for family fun!  Experience a family-friendly getaway...

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Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
(Ft. Sheridan)
A scenic destination, Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve offers a variety of opportunities...

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Fourth Lake Forest Preserve
(Lake Villa)
Named for the lake it borders, the preserve features a scenic peninsula with exceptio...

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Gander Mountain Forest Preserve
(Antioch)
Within this preserve is Lake County's highest natural elevation. Gander Mountain ...

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Grainger Woods Forest Preserve
(Mettawa)
This preserve harbors a rare stand of northern flatwoods, ecologically valuable wetla...

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Grant Woods Forest Preserve
(Ingleside)
Open prairies, quiet woodlands and marshes teeming with wildlife await you at this sc...

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Grayslake Community Park District
(Grayslake)
The Grayslake Community Park District is a separate government agency established for...

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Greenbelt Cultural Center
(North Chicago)
This expansive 18,500-square-foot venue is the perfect setting for any occasion, offe...

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Greenbelt Forest Preserve
(North Chicago)
Tucked into Lake County’s most urban area is this island of green. A surpris...

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Half Day Forest Preserve
(Vernon Hills)
This quiet and clean preserve features a 1-mile trail for hikers, bicyclists and cros...

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Hastings Lake Forest Preserve
(Lake Villa)
Four miles of paved and gravel trails wind through open fields, woodlands of stately ...

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Heller Nature Center
(Highland Park)
Visitors can enjoy a 97-acre preserve with oak-hickory forests, tall grass prairie, o...

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Heron Creek Forest Preserve
(Lake Zurich)
Here you'll find valuable natural resources and sensitive wetlands in a country-l...

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Hurricane Harbor Chicago
(Gurnee)
Hurricane Harbor Chicago, the 20-acre water park on Six Flags Great America property,...

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Independence Grove Dog Park
(Libertyville)
Located in Libertyville, this special place is one of five designated Dog Parks in th...

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Independence Grove Forest Preserve
(Libertyville)
This scenic 1,151-acre forest preserve offers a wide range of outdoor recreation and ...

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Lacrosse America
(Vernon Hills)
Our passion is to share the magic we create. Woven within the fabric of our PLAY Expe...

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Lake Carina Forest Preserve
(Gurnee)
Located along the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway, Lake Carina offers trails, an...

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Lake County Forest Preserves
(Libertyville)
As principal guardian of Lake County’s open space and natural areas since 1958,...

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Lakefront Park
(Fox Lake)
A popular visitors destination, as well as a favorite gathering spot for local reside...

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Lakewood Dog Park
(Wauconda)
Located in Wauconda, this popular spot is one of five designated off-leash dog parks ...

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Lakewood Forest Preserve
(Wauconda)
Lakewood is Lake County’s largest forest preserve, offering trails for hiking, ...

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Marl Flat Forest Preserve
(Round Lake)
This scenic preserve is part of an Advance Identification (ADID) wetland complex beca...

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McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
(Lindenhurst)
Behold the gentle, rolling grassy terrain of this scenic preserve. The dips and rises...

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Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve
(Lake Forest)
Home to a rare tallgrass savanna, Middlefork Savanna features a mix of oak savanna an...

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Old School Forest Preserve
(Mettawa)
One of our most popular spots, offering miles of trails, great bass fishing and seclu...

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Par-King Skill Golf
(Lincolnshire)
Ranked one of the "Top 10 Miniature Golfs in America" and featuring two 18-...

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Paulus Park
(Lake Zurich)
A popular visitors destination, as well as a favorite gathering spot for local reside...

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Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
(Antioch)
Pine Dunes features rolling hills and beautiful panoramic views of prairie, savanna a...

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Prairie Wolf Dog Park
(Lake Forest)
Located in Lake Forest, this special place is one of five designated off-leash Dog Pa...

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Raven Glen Forest Preserve
(Antioch)
You'll be taken in by this preserve's rolling hills and scenic vistas. Two fi...

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Ray Lake Forest Preserve
(Wauconda)
Ray Lake visitors can hike, ride bikes or horses, and cross-country ski on a 2.3-mile...

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Richardson Adventure Farm & Corn Maze, LLC
(Spring Grove)
The featured attraction is the World's Largest Corn Maze, with 33 acres and 11 mi...

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SkipperBud's - North Point
(Winthrop Harbor)
The SkipperBud's emblem on your transom means that you are a valued customer! If ...

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Soccer Events Group
(Vernon Hills)
Our passion is to share the magic we create. Woven within the fabric of our PLAY Expe...

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Spring Bluff Forest Preserve
(Winthrop Harbor)
An observation deck offers a 360 degree view of the preserve's dramatic landscape...

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Sun Lake Forest Preserve
(Lake Villa)
This preserve features a mosaic landscape of oak woodlands and wetlands, including an...

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The Preserve of Highland Park
(Highland Park)
The Preserve of Highland Park located adjacent to the Recreation Center of Highland P...

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Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve
(Wadsworth)
An oak forest, 86-acre Sterling Lake and the Des Plaines River provide a picturesque ...

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Volo Bog State Natural Area
(Ingleside)
TRAVEL & VISITOR ALERT: VOLO BOG IS OPEN. Please see their website for deta...

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Waukegan Park District
(Waukegan)
The Waukegan Park District is committed to providing parks, facilities and leisure op...

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Waukegan Savanna
(Wadsworth)
Within the preserve are two unique special use areas. Each area has a separate ent...

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Waukegan Savanna Dog Park
(Wadsworth)
Located in Waukegan, this cool new spot is one of five designated off-leash Dog Parks...

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Waukegan SportsPark
(Waukegan)
The top sports complex in Northern Illinois which features 14 outdoor soccer fields i...

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Illinois Beach State Park
(Zion)
Illinois Beach State Park is now open daily 8 a.m - sundown.  Illinois ...

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North Point Marina
(Winthrop Harbor)
A world class marina at world class value. Quiet, serene and safe, North Point Marina...

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Old School Forest Preserve
(Libertyville)
Looking for winter fun, Old School Forest Preserve is the place to be. Bring out the ...

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Steeple Chase Golf Club
(Mundelein)
A Ken Killian-designed course nestled on over 200 beautiful acres. For more than a de...

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Other Businesses

355 W. Washington Ave. Lake Bluff, IL 60044
847.234.4150
 
27843 West Grass Lake Road Antioch, IL 60002
847.395.4122
 
Woodland Ave. & Belle Plaine Ave. Gurnee, IL 60031
847.623.7788
 
2700 Trail Way Highland Park, IL 60035
847.579.3130
 
836 Jewett Park Drive Deerfield, IL 60015
847.945.0650
 
41666 N. Sheridan Rd. Zion, IL 60099
847.731.7898
 
2150 Drury Lane Grayslake, IL 60030
847.548.4713
 
27864 IRMA LEE CIRCLE Lake Forest, IL 60045
847.283.0908
 
243 Harvey Ave. Grayslake, IL 60030
847.223.7440
 
13236 W. Town Line Rd. Waukegan, IL 60087
847.662.5733
 
P.O. Box 332 Libertyville, IL 60048

 
701 North Point Drive Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
847.746.2845
 
55 S. Harbor Place Waukegan, IL 60085
847.224.3133
 
1019 Lakeshore Dr. Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
847.546.2351
 
701 North Point Dr. Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
815.338.8093
 
1401 N. Midlothian Road Mundelein, IL 60060
847.566.0650
 
1025 Riverwoods Road Lincolnshire, IL 60069
847.913.2363
 
Patten Rd. Highland Park, IL 60035
312.863.6250
 
8 Park Avenue Highland Park, IL 60035
847.432.0970
 
636 Ridge Road Highland Park, IL 60035
847.579.3145
 
328 N. Main Street Wauconda, IL 60084
847.865.0220
 
901 N. Milwaukee Avenue Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847.573.0356
 
25400 W. Bluff Lane Antioch, IL 60002
847.395.4050
 
10 Marriott Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069
847.634.5930
 
42273 N. Woodbine Ave. Antioch, IL 60002
847.833.5571
 
635 North Aspen Drive Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847.996.6800
 
11931 Fox River Road Wilmot, WI 53192
262.862.2301
 
2400 Dowie Memorial Dr. Zion, IL 60099
847.746.5500
 
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