Attractions and Places To See around Prospect Heights - Top 20

The area around Prospect Heights is rich in natural features, primarily lakes and extensive forest preserves. You can explore places like Busse Lake — North and Main Pools, which is part of the Salt Creek Water Trails, or the tranquil Skokie Lagoon No. 3, a nature preserve perfect for bird watching. The vast Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods) offers ancient trees and an elk pasture.

Yes, many attractions are suitable for families. The forest preserves and lakes offer gentle trails for walking and cycling, and opportunities for picnicking. For example, Dam Number 1 Woods provides sheltered picnic groves along the Des Plaines River Trail, ideal for a family lunch break. Water activities like kayaking and boating are also popular at Busse Lake and Skokie Lagoon No. 3.

Prospect Heights is a great base for various outdoor activities. You can enjoy cycling on paved trails like the North Branch Trail, which winds through forests and fields. The lakes, such as Busse Lake and Skokie Lagoon No. 3, are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Hiking is also popular, with many easy trails available in the surrounding forest preserves.

Absolutely! The area boasts numerous hiking opportunities. You can find easy hikes around Prospect Heights in guides like Easy hikes around Prospect Heights, which features routes like the Lake Glenview Loop and The Grove Loop. Many trails wind through the forest preserves, offering scenic walks and opportunities for wildlife spotting.

Cycling is a fantastic way to explore the area. The North Branch Trail is a popular 20-mile paved path following the Chicago River. You can also find extensive paved trails within the Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods). For more options, check out Road Cycling Routes around Prospect Heights or Gravel biking around Prospect Heights.

Yes, wildlife spotting is a common and enjoyable activity. The North Branch Trail is known for deer sightings, and the extensive forest preserves like Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods) even have an elk pasture. Bird watching is particularly good at the Skokie Lagoons.

For water activities, Busse Lake — North and Main Pools is a key feature of the Salt Creek Water Trails, offering opportunities for rowboat, canoe, or kayak rentals. Similarly, Skokie Lagoon No. 3, part of the Skokie Lagoons nature preserve, is excellent for kayaking, boating, and fishing.

Many of the natural attractions offer lovely views. From grassy spots around Skokie Lagoon No. 3, you can enjoy tranquil water vistas. The paved Busse Woods Bicycle Trail also provides great views out onto Busse Lake, especially where the North and Main Pools are separated by a small rocky dam.

Visitors particularly appreciate the extensive network of trails for cycling and hiking, the peaceful natural escapes offered by the lakes and lagoons, and the opportunities for wildlife spotting. The ability to engage in various outdoor pursuits like kayaking, boating, and fishing in a serene environment is also highly valued.

Yes, several spots are ideal for resting and picnicking. Dam Number 1 Woods, located along the Des Plaines River Trail, features two sheltered picnic groves, making it a perfect place for a lunch break or a quick breather during your ride or walk.

The Ned Brown Forest Preserve, also known as Busse Woods, is a vast 3,700-acre preserve featuring almost 13 miles of paved trails, extensive waterways, and some truly ancient trees. It's also notable for its elk pasture, making it one of the most popular parks in the state for nature enthusiasts.