Best High Mountain Campsites Chicago Near Me

4worldlovers:
Northerly Island Park is a 119.7-acre park situated along the Lake Michigan shoreline on Chicago’s beautiful Museum Campus. Chicago's famous architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham imagined Northerly Island as one of the northernmost points in a series of manmade islands stretching between Grant and Jackson Parks and exists as the only island to be completed. The site of the Century of Progress World Fair in 1933, Northerly Island has since been transformed into an urban nature sanctuary, making it the ideal location to investigate the intersection of Chicago’s natural and built environments.


This lakefront Natural Area features prairie and savanna, a 5-acre pond, and strolling paths that offer great views for observing birds and other native wildlife. The path runs along the western side of the peninsula, terminating at the southern end. There are over 150 different varieties of native plants and an emerging savanna with 20,000 trees and shrubs, all of which provide an ecosystem for migratory and local birds.


Northerly Island offers year-round outdoor and environmental programs that are a catalyst for bringing communities together to develop an awareness, appreciation and knowledge of our natural environment. Programs include youth nature programs, guided nature field trips & tours, camping, fishing, paddling and annual seasonal festivals that highlight nature in the city, such as the popular Polar Adventure Days.


Today, Daniel Burnham’s vision is now a reality. With wild prairie grasses taking root, strolling paths, superb fishing spots and rolling hills that frame a spectacular view of the City skyline, we invite you to come out and enjoy the emerging world of Northerly Island.


The Northerly Island’s Visitor Center is open weekdays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.


Chicago's famous architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham imagined Northerly Island as one of the northernmost points in a series of manmade islands stretching between Grant and Jackson Parks. Burnham's lakefront vision, with lagoons, harbors, beaches, playfields, and a scenic drive, was published in his renowned 1909 Plan of Chicago. Disputes over property rights and funding constraints hindered development, and his plans for Northerly Island and Burnham Park were never fully realized. During the 1930s, because of its location, the park was referred to as Northerly Island and that name has continued to the present.

4worldlovers: Located at the southern start of the popular North Branch Trail, LaBagh Woods is host to diverse natural areas, including wooded landscapes, wetlands, savannas and sedge meadows. Known for exceptional birding opportunities, this site also offers picnic groves and large open fields.

LaBagh Woods (sometimes misspelled as “LaBaugh”) offers significant tree cover, with a mix of large oaks, maples and cottonwoods. Occasional sunny savannas and sedge meadows dot the wooded landscape, particularly toward the northeast of the site, an area known as Sauganash Prairie Grove. Some of these species-rich spots benefit from restoration by volunteers, as do low-lying wetlands. Wild geranium, Indian plantain, turtlehead, blue flag iris, marsh blazing star and hop sedge all grow at LaBagh.

At the center of the site near the river, an oxbow slough fills the low bottomlands. During floods, the area takes on a primeval feel, like a southern swamp. Birders explore the area during spring migration to view birds such as spring warblers, tanagers and sparrows. Cooper’s and red-tailed hawks have nested in these woods. Mink and other water-loving mammals patrol the river banks.

This uncommon woodland community encompasses wet savanna, marsh, and mature floodplain woods, and is dominated by swamp white oaks.

Join an inspiring movement of volunteers gathering to restore this special site along the Chicago River. Learn how to restore diverse wildlife, trees, wildflowers, and health to our forest preserves and river system. Help grow a community of caretakers!

4worldlovers: We are Friends of Big Marsh. We support the work of the Park District at Big Marsh through bike park development, fundraising, and community engagement. We also run the bike rental at the Ford Calumet Environmental Center and put on amazing events for everyone, including races, parties, runs, and more! The park is open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk (roughly 8am - 7:30pm).