Outdoor Adventure Guide

Weather in the Midwest consists of four distinct seasons and we have the luxury of being able to enjoy sunny days and snowflakes, budding flowers and falling leaves. Each season has its special attributes and no matter what time of year it is, there’s ways to enjoy the great outdoors. The Chicago Southland region offers over 40,00 acres of forest preserves where you can view wildlife, fish, hike, bike, camp, birdwatch, kayak and more. There’s also many miles of multi-use trails to explore.

GOLF 

The Chicago Southland region offers  more than 600 holes of golf on a variety of public courses. From world-known, luxurious country clubs like Cog Hill, which has hosted PGA tour events to highly ranked courses, top-rated courses like Ravisloe Country Club to the challenging nine-hole courses at Fountain Hills Golf Club, there are many options when you want to spend some time on the links.

CAMPING

Pitching a tent and sleeping under the stars may seem more of a recreational activity of the past as “glamping “ has gained traction in recent years. But if you’re yearning for a low-key, low-tech, simple adventure, then an old-school camping excursion may be just right. Within both The Forest Preserve Districts of Cook County and Will County are opportunities to enjoy the classic joy of outdoor camping. Claim a spot at a primitive campground or rent a small cabin. At Camp Sullivan you can also camp at RV sites with electricity available and large groups can rent bunkhouses and Camp Shabbona Woods offers cabin rental.

DISC GOLF

One of the country’s recent growing sports is disc golf and if it’s your game – or you want to find a place to give it a try, you’ll find many varied venues to do so. In the Chicago Southland you’re never far from a course. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you’ll find everything from smaller nine-hole courses for more casual play to championship-rated courses. There are over 173 holes for you to explore in the Chicago Southland.

BIRDING

With beautiful landscapes, forests, prairies, wetlands and waterways, this biologically-diverse area of the Chicago Southland provides some ideal locations for those seeking out spots to catch glimpses of the local residents of the avian community or migrating birds just passing through during different seasons. Visit ReconnectWithNature.org (Forest Preserve District of Will County) and FPDCC.com (Forest Preserves of Cook County) for some specific location recommendations.

GEOCACHING

If you’re into this version of high-tech treasure hunting, the Chicago Southland offers thousands of active geocaches hidden among the historic downtowns, nature centers and forest preserves. If you’re new to this hobby, download a free geocaching app and get started and then set out on seeking landmarks, natural surroundings and more.

SNOWSHOEING

When the snow starts to fall, there’s an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with a quiet tranquility you don’t find any other time of year. It’s a perfect time to get out in nature and embrace the cold and use the fresh fallen frozen precipitation to your advantage. Places like Plum Creek Nature Center and Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center offer snowshoe rentals. There are also a number of sites within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County that offer free use of snowshoes.

FALL FUN

There’s nothing like a fall afternoon spent outside and the Chicago Southland has some great options. Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm (PumpkinFarm.com) has been helping families make fall memories for over 45 years. Pick out your pumpkins, make your way through a corn maze or a haunted house, watch pig races and nosh on favorite fall foods. The Stellwagen Farm  (OrlandPark.org) is a historic site that is Orland Park’s oldest farm property. Take yourself on a self-guided tour or attend one of the events held at the site throughout the season. And The Children’s Farm at The Center (TheCenterPalos.org) provides opportunities for hay rides and interacting with animals in the petting zoo.

FISHING

Sitting on a shore or a pier with a pole in the water is one of the most peaceful pastimes there is. With an abundance of bodies of water in local parks and forest preserves in the Chicago Southland, there are so many opportunities to drop a line and watch for your big catch. Here are some locations where you’ll find everything from bluegill to catfish to bass. (Photo Credit: Monee Reservoir, Will County Forest Preserves, Chris Wynn)

• Arrowhead Lake, Palos Heights (135th Street, east of Harlem Avenue)
• Belly Deep Slough, Palos Hills (LaGrange Road, 1/2 mile south of 95th Street)
• Dolphin Lake, Homewood (183^rd Street & Governors Highway) 
• Erfert Park, Lansing (188th & Burnham Avenue)

• Green Lake, Calumet City (north of 159th Street, east of Torrence Avenue)
• Horsetail Lake, Palos Park (Willow Springs Road, north of McCarthy Road)
• Lake Ashbourne, Orland Hills (9101 Meadowview Drive)
• Lake Lorin, Orland Hills (9150 West 167th Street)
• Lake Sedgewick, Centennial Park (plus 18 other fishing locations), Orland Park (15600 West Avenue)
• Marycrest Recreation Area/Miller Pond, Country Club Hills (187th & Welch Way)
• Monee Reservoir, Monee (Ridgeland Avenue, south of Pauling Road)
• Powderhorn Lake, Burnham (S Brainard Avenue, east of S Burnham Ave/S Avenue O) 
• Sauk Lake, Chicago Heights (north of Sauk Trail, west of Euclid Avenue and south of 26th Street)
• Tampier Lake, Palos Park (131st Street, between Wolf & Will-Cook Roads)
• Turtlehead Lake and Ponds, Palos Heights (Harlem Avenue, south of 135th Street)
• Wampum Lake, Thornton (Thornton-Lansing Road, 1 1/2 miles west of Torrence Avenue)

For more information and inspiration for outdoor activities in the Chicago Southland, visit FPDCC.com or Visit ReconnectWithNature.org or contact local parks departments.