Cook County’s forests are in bloom. From April to June, spring wildflowers are making the most of the sun that shines on the forest floor before the trees leaf out. Get out and enjoy this annual wildflower display. The more time you spend in Cook County’s forest preserves, the more you’ll understand why we do what we do. Here are our top selections for enjoying spring woodland wildflowers:
McLaughry Springs Woods near Palos Park
Starting Point: The parking lot is located on S. Kean Avenue between W. Cal-Sag Rd/Rt. 83 and
W. 119th Street, approximately ½ mile west of Rt. 45/LaGrange Rd.
Bunker Hill Forest Preserve
Location: Chicago’s North Side
Starting Point: Park in the lot on the west side of Caldwell Avenue, a few blocks north of Devon Avenue. Walk south along the paved trail.
Harms Woods
Location: Near Glenview
Starting Point: Park in the Glenview Woods lot, located on Harms Road north of Old Orchard Road and South of Glenview Road. Take the gravel trail south to access the bridge and cross to the west side of the river.
Black Partridge Woods near Lemont
Directions to Starting Point: Take Lemont Road to 111th Street (Bluff Road), then take 111th Street west and southwest 1 mile to the parking lot.
Sand Ridge Nature Center
Location: Near South Holland
Directions to Starting Point: Take 195th Street to Paxton Avenue. The Nature Center is at 15890 Paxton.
Friends’ Fact: The Pines Trail is especially notable for its spring wildflowers.