Illinois Beach Nature Preserve - Waukegan, Illinois

Tabitha B.

Decided to take the dead river trail this time. It was a great hike.
Highly recommend this trail.
Dead river is named not because it is polluted, but because it runs toward, but does not flow into Lake Michigan.
Just yards from its goal, the river disappears into the sand in an apparent dead end.

Ashley W.

This is the first dedicated nature preserve in Illinois, and it is an absolute treasure. There is a weekly volunteer ecological restoration group that takes care of this beautiful place called Illinois Dunesland Restoration Project. Come join us to help take care of Illinois Beach!

Oliver C.

This has to be one of the prettiest parks I go to. The trails are amazing. It takes about 3 hours to get to the lake, Michigan, following the Dead River and back. Beware: Some of the trails next to the river are flooded due to the latest storms and heavy rains. The water is up to knee deep in some spots.
But the water is very warm.
I highly recommend the trail along the Dead River. If you love nature, you won't be disappointed.

Craig G.

The hiking trails are excellent. This bike trail on the south end heading north is horrid. Not maintained and erosion has washed up portions of the trail. Just to get to the area is a hike. Could use a concession stand. There is restrooms and a campsite. A visitor center is a nice stop. The maps and information signage is everywhere, with plant and wildlife information. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park is it's official name.

From the government website. "Illinois Beach is the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state, with dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, forests of oak and vast arrays of animal life and vegetation.

More than 650 species of plants have been recorded in the dunes area alone, including dozens of types of colorful wildflowers. Prickly pear cactus thrives in large colonies in the dry areas, and the wet prairies are carpeted with a wide variety of grasses and sedges. Large expanses of marsh in the swales support dense stands of cattail, grasses, big bluestem and sedges.

The sandy ridges are crowned by black oak forests with an open, savanna-like appearance. For much of the year, a stream known as Dead River is blocked by sandbars formed by waves at the mouth of the river, creating a sluggish marshy habitat."

It's a great way to spend a day.

Directions
From the South are: I-294 north to Rt 173 east (approx 8 miles) to Sheridan Road. Make a right on Sheridan Road to Wadsworth Road, make a left and you will be in the park.
From the North are: I-94 South to Rt. 173, east on Rt.173 to Sheridan Road, right on Sheridan Road to Wadsworth Road and make a left on Wadsworth into the Park.

EZvids

My favorite place to bike and hike, it's so beautiful down by the lake. I love listening to and watching the birds and other animals, it's so peaceful.

Jade

This location is beautiful. Came here on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't too crowded but after a few days of heavy rain portions of the walking paths were washed out. We had to wade through 4 feet of standing water. Other than that it was a perfect day visit.

Malinda L.

You can park at the parking lot, go for a walk/run, and there are different trails that will lead you to the lake. (Lake Michigan) just to be safe and know where you are, you can always use the google map to view from above the paths you can take.

Richard H.

State parks are America's glory. Reading how this space was recovered from development in the 1920s, and visiting today is a wonderful experience. A beautiful, quiet space with well marked trails and good parking.