Trees bright and green turn yellow-brown. Autumn caught 'em, see all them leaves must fall down," - Andre 3000 of Outkast. Start making your appointments with nature with these 15 festive fall photo ops in Lake County.
When the leaves change yellow and orange, it is the viewing party of a lifetime traveling on the best fall hike and bike trails in Lake County. We all can’t get out to New England to see their legendary foliage (and frankly, we don’t need to), but Lake County’s trees pack a kaleidoscopic punch of their own.
When you're pondering about your fall photo-op, don't forget Visit Lake County is running its #LetsSnapLakeCountyPhoto Contest. Continue here to learn more.
Ryerson Conservation Area and the Brushwood Center take fall very seriously. Not only can you snap a magnificent fall photo op in the Lake County forest preserve, but you can also peruse the grounds on their Halloween Hikes (October 25-26) and get the daylights spooked out of you. Check back in the winter for their annual maple syrup hikes.
The historic park in the City of Progress is known for their environmental learning stations representing a forest ecosystem, plus playgrounds and spray area for the kiddies. There is also an exercise trail in the Waukegan park. The Waukegan Park District area has lush trees and sprawling fields and has a cascade of wonderful colors during the autumn season for your festive fall photo.
All sorts of colors are shifting their appearance during the autumnal equinox at the Chicago Bo. "The falling leaves drift by the window. The autumn leaves of red and gold" are a must-see just south of the Lake County border.
"I came along, I wrote a song for you. And all the things you do, and it was all yellow." Man's best friend is posing for the perfect photo op. The Chain O' Lakes has a slew of locations where you can shoot autumn pictures.
A gigantic maze of maize, pumpkins galore, friendly farm animals and fall photo ops to match at the Spring Grove farm. We have yet to see a person frowning while ZORBing.
Ready to compare apples to apples? Snagging one of these red or green treats at the Green Oaks orchard gives a lot of pop to your fall pics. Don't forget your pot hat so you can go full Johnny Appleseed.
Oak-hickory forests, tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and natural wetlands are an oasis for native plants and animals at this 97-acre preserve. Document your fall expedition with a selfie at the Highland Park area.
The farm favorite features hayrides, pony rides, camel rides, kiddie rides, an exotic petting zoo, a parakeet exhibit, a corn maze and pig races (the sprinting porkies only gallop on the weekends). Not to mention you can get a sweet pic of that big ole pumpkin you've picked.
Right by scenic Lake Michigan, the greens start to change yellow, orange, red and gold. A snap of autumn with the backdrop of the drink provides all of the seasonal feels you need.
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Once upon a time, this defunct post was one of the United States Army named after Civil War Cavalry General Philip Sheridan. The fort located in Highland Park, Highwood and Lake Forest has been closed since 1993 but is a beautiful backdrop to your gram. From the autumn trees to the Lake Michigan scenery, this National Register of Historic Places and U.S. National Historic Landmark is a photo-op gem.
This scenic 1,135-acre preserve offers a wide range of outdoor recreation and education opportunities centered around a 115-acre lake reclaimed from a gravel quarry. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing and boating, a Marina with boat and bike rentals, a native garden and nearly seven miles of trails. The red, yellow, brown and green pyrotechnic nature explosion is a sight to see and snap a shot.
