Bemis Woods and Forest Preserve

I come here to run and bike ride– trails are nicely maintained, with the addition of one new trail. Users remain respectful and follow the «rules of the path». There are multiple gazebo areas, and a few bathrooms– many people host BBQs and picnics. Great place to get some exercise and spend the day!

Fantastically maintained trails for walking/​biking. You truly feel like you’re not in a major metro when under the canopy of trees and streams.
Perfect ride from trail head on west end all the way to the zoo and back.

When I need to fool myself that I am getting away from the city into isolation I head to a nearby forest preserve. This particular preserve does more than trick me! We had a family picnic here and it is large enough, quiet enough and empty enough (on a Saturday) to put me in the outdoors kind of mood without travelling too far from home. The groves are very well kept and there is plenty of open spaces! This location is a great urban getaway!

A fine example of forest preseve in the Cook County Forest Preserve district in my highly regarded opinion. It’s great for trail running, mountain biking, but most of all I bring my dog here. We’ve got miles of trails to explore, a few open fields, and the Salt Creek runs through it which all the water-​loving dogs enjoy. Naturally the only scary thing is that if you decide to take your dog off the leash there’s no fence or protection, and maybe even scarier is the Forest Preserve «patrol man» who drives his beer and donut loving belly around the different lots screaming at people through a megaphone (because to get out and walk around would be exercise) to put their dog on a leash. I have been accosted in this manner on many occasions, and (fortunately) I don’t know what the punishment is as I clasp the leash on and we duck into the woods and out of sight from Sgt. Fatty-​Pants. I wonder if they issue tickets? Not sure, and until they hire a more fit ranger I won’t know. All in all, it’s very pretty and peaceful here, lots of trails, but watch your back!