Best Nature Preserves in Chicago To Peep Leaves

You don’t need to leave the city to see amazing fall foliage! The Cook County Forest Preserves have a map that will show you all the spots with great fall colors. Here are some of our favorite trails.

🍁 Des Plaines River Trail System

This trail passes through more than a dozen forests as it winds along its namesake river! In the city, you can pick up the trail in Schiller Woods on the far Northwest Side. There are bound to be amazing fall colors and plenty of critters, and you can find beautiful lakes that reflect the seasonal hues. It’s also home to the Trailside Museum of Natural History and plenty of picnic spots along its 28.4 mile stretch!

🥾 North Branch Trail System

This trail follows along the North Branch of the Chicago River. The almost 20-mile stretch is a hit among cyclists, as you can ride from North Park all the way to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe beneath a canopy of spectacular trees. You can also check out several lagoons along the Skokie River for double the view!

🏃‍♂️ Major Taylor Trail

Not your typical wooded trail, this urban path connects Dan Ryan Woods on the South Side with Whistler Woods on the other side of the Calumet River. The Dan Ryan Woods’ whopping 257 acres feature a lot of year-round activities, including sledding in the winter!

💎 North Park Village Nature Center

Find 58 acres of natural area and trails that wind through a variety of ecosystems on the Northwest Side. This spot is especially good for leaf peeping because it features large trees that were planted over a century ago! Mark your calendars for their annual Fall Festival on Oct. 19, and be sure to visit again in March for their annual Maple Syrup Festival.