Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve

One of my favorite forest preserves around here! Every 15 mins it felt I was somewhere completely different. One moment you’re in a giant field, the next a beach on the lake, then you adventure to the historical fort.

very nice place to relax and enjoy a little nature. i had no idea this preserve existed until recently. its not huge but even on a beautiful autumn sunday i was able to find my solitude. in the mostly overbuilt metro area that is chicagoland, a spot like this is a treasure. i will return.

Such a beautiful place! I recommend the fall season because of the amazing colors and mild weather. I love the sight of nature and in a safe environment.

This is a cute place tucked away in the northeast corner of Illinois. I happened to discover it through other websites and it’s definitely worth a visit. It is very scenic, relaxing and great for a family outing. Photography enthusiasts will find a lot of options here. There are nice places to eat nearby, in the city of highwood. Unlike many beaches in this area, this is quiet, clean and has no entry fee. Parking is available close to the beach, it’s very convenient logistically.
The place has a some decent trek paths too. Great for a weekend outing with family or with your camera!
Dont forget to take a big repellant if you visit in hot weather

I am, admittedly, hugely cliché in that I like sitting on some of those big olé rocks and watching the tides roll in. I am able to indulge the cliché side of me here at the beach that’s a part of the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. They have lots of rocks to sit on (which if you sit on them for too long, your butt will undoubtedly start to hurt… a lot) and they have pebbles or sea glass to pick up… if that’s something you’re at all interested in. It really is a beautiful site from the beach — if you look to the North you can see the continuation of the North shore and if you look to the South you can see the extension of Navy Pier.
The downfall is that you’re not technically supposed to go into the water. According to police officials who stand guard of the beach sometimes have said that the tides will take you out too far from the coast. Personally, I say go wade into the water when no cops are around… it feels so good, especially if you’ve been baking in the sun. I think that if you just go stick your toes in the water there is no problem to be had — I’m just giving you a fair warning.
So far, I haven’t had the chance to walk around the park and explore all that nature has to offer there, but it is on my to-​do list before I leave the area. The forest does look very expansive and if you need to go for a walk and air out your thoughts this seems to be the perfect place to do it. I like to do my thinking at night while lying on the beach under the stars, but since the Preserve closes at sunset you may not be able to do this. Sorry, Charlie. No worries, though, it is still a wonderful place to enjoy your serenity and peacefulness during the daytime and early afternoon.
It is kept very clean throughout the entire Forest Preserve which I, and I’m sure everyone else, appreciates. What I don’t really appreciate, though, is that if you absolutely needed to go to the bathroom there isn’t a place for you to go. It’s not a detrimental factor, it just makes things a little inconvenient, especially when you’ve had two coffees, water and some soda just earlier that day.
I love going to this beach and enjoying a good book; if you don’t mind using a jagged rock as a backrest then it can actually be a great little spot for some «me-​time». It’s typically quiet which allows you to enjoy any serenity you’re seeking and appreciate the beautiful surroundings.
P. s. Make sure you pack some sunscreen on those sunny days because there isn’t much coverage there on the beach!

Last week I did something so completely out of character.
It was near the end of my day.
My remaining to-​do list was staring me in the face.
I still had a million phone calls to make.
But…it was Friday and 70+ degrees outside, so I gently closed the lid on my computer and escaped for an hour. I *ran away* to a place so beautiful, it was like being on vacation — just 10 minutes away from my house.
I grabbed my hubby, and we went for a walk along down the path leading to Lake Michigan, a stroll along the sandy pebbly beach, and a hike back up the steep hill at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.
When the weather is nice it’s magical here. There’s a small parking lot where you can leave your car and head down a paved walkway to the beach. Once on the beach you can walk quite far. The beach is a little rough, meaning it’s not super sandy soft where you can just pitch your blanket and lay down without some form of padding. Need a place to sit? You’ll find several giant beached logs to sit on and just stare out into the endless water.
A peaceful place to rest your mind on a hectic day and get a little exercise while your at it.

A friend just introduced me to this place. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. I would have never guessed that there is such a majestic preserve so close to home.
The directions the my phone gave me ended at the corner of Sheridan and Old Elm. Drive as if you were continuing on Old Elm (east) and follow the signs from there (kudos for good signage). The parking lot is *really* big compared to other preserves’ lots I’ve been to. From the parking lot you can see the lake (stunning!), the prairie grass (golden during the Spring), and patches of woodland.
There is pedestrian access down to the beach, and multiple trails among the prairie and woods. There’s at least one really cool pedestrian bridge going over a ravine. Super cool! I didn’t see any litter, which is a huge bonus.
Great place to enjoy nature alone or with others. Bring your dogs, friends, and family (and proper clothes-it’s cooler near the lake).

I’m a regular in all seasons. It’s nice to have t access to the beach. A great escape to nature. We walk the beach, the trails. Even visit the military cemetery. There’s coyotes deer and mink. I ‘ve taken many pictures and those of Lake Michigan frozen over during the winter 2014. All posted on Instagram. I wish there were more open spaces like this on the Lake.

Wow, picturesque is an underestatement. Where can I find more places like this around Chicago!!! The only complaint is there is no moonwalk path along the beach/​lake, it’s just gravel and sand. However, I guess that gets pretty close to nature you know.
The gravel here is so pretty, I picked some up to use in my own aquarium: p
The parking area is beautiful during sun set, it looks like a huuge valley, with the perfect view of the sky. This place also tells you about the history of fort sheridan, and has a cannon used during the war. Coool beans if you ask me!

A beautiful place to walk or ride your bike (some spots are a little rough, so be prepared to walk a little if you’re pulling a Burley or aren’t set up for riding through mulch). The beach is gorgeous (Although swimming is forbidden) and my kids love playing in the Eagle’s nest.

There is no way I would have even known about this place if not from the advice of a local. Fort Sheridan still has the vibe of an active military base. Beautifully landscaped with military mansions that have now been converted to townhomes and privately owned quarters. The Forest Preserve is like a slice of nature served on a golden platter. Walking trails, a pebble beach on the lake, and old military cannons and guns to entertain the kids. A great place to spend a few hours and pack a picnic.

I just took a walk this morning on the trails that go along the lake south to Walker Avenue. It’s so beautiful in the morning. There is a small cove that is so quiet, you would like you are on a deserted island.
I’ve done this walk in all four seasons, and it’s lovely in every one of them. In the winter we would share the trail with a family of deer. In the spring, the birds come out to sing. In the summer, you can go so early, that no one is around, yet it’s still light out with a beautiful view of the lake. And fall… well, the trees are beautiful.
Being a north shore Unilocaler, it’s so nice to have this area close by. It’s even worth a drive (or bike ride!) from the city!

This wonderful nature preserve has been under fire by some Ft. Sheridan residents to turn into a golf course. In the years since the preserve opened, it has become a host to numerous wildlife. The preserve offers an incredible walk down to Lake Michigan.