Peaceful and quiet trails!! There is plenty of parking! It is quite hidden so keep that in mind! I am glad it is quite hidden because I guess that means less people know about the secret waterfall! The waterfall is so beautiful! It is so relaxing! The sounds of the waterfall make you feel like you are in the country, not in the city! It is a quiet forest and you don't hear the noisy cars! There are so many trees and plants. So amazing! I would definitely keep coming again soon! If you want to relax and just have a good time hiking, then this is the secret hidden place to visit ! Please don't tell anyone!! It is nature's best kept secret in Chicago.

Nice for a short stroll on unpaved trails thru a few different types of environments. Under landing and take off patterns for airport not a plus.Good parking.Popular with locals. Wear sun screen.

If you want to see part of what Chicago looked like before it was developed, this is it. Check out the very rare oak savanna, only a few left in the US. It’s a 46-acre nature preserve and educational facility. This nature preserve has trails through woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and savanna’s. And check out the few building left from 1915 when the Chicago Department of Public Health had it’s TB sanitarium located here, the largest in the US at the time. They now act as the park’s field house.

Hard to believe such a lovely natural oasis exist in the heart of the north side. Nice manageable trails, and several places to sit and meditate quietly. The staff has always been nice, helpful and friendly. This is one of my favorite nature getaways when I'm feeling overwhelmed by urban life. I'm lucky enough to always get to see deer everytime I go walk the trails which is fun.

Amazingly well curated space. It's just crazy adorable, I honestly don't know what else to say about it. It's clean, safe, cute.

Great place to visit. It is like getting out of town whilst still being in the city.

Walk the trails and you never know what or who you will see and hear! Native Americans were boiling down maple sap the day I visited. Heard first red-wing blackbirds of the season. Guided migratory bird walks on Saturday mornings during Spring and Fall. Call for details.

This park feels like heaven sometimes, so beautiful but always closed for some reason. Lots of deer and greenery.

Lovely circular walking paths which I enjoyed but the season makes it hard to realize what will be here after all the growing starts. Looks like a lot of restorative work is going on. Lots of chopped up limbs and bushes in piles. I was able to get a couple of new hits for my Seek app because it was easy to see even a little things just starting to grow. A blue heron flew in as I left. Otherwise I saw no animals or birds. It was delightful sitting on a little bench beside the wetlands with the sun baking my face even though it was only in the 40s. Barely got back to front gate by 4pm closing time. Recent visit… Saw quite a few monarch butterflies. Both flora and fauna were much richer later in the season.

Went for a Saturday Jazz Concert by, the #JeremyJoelQuartet led by renown drummer percussionist and composer Jeremy Joel Warren. They were, AMAZING! Venue was cozy and warmed by a real wood burning fireplace.

I love this place! Come by for the Migratory Bird Walks on Saturdays at 8am in April, May and September, October.

This nature center is very nice. It has different paths and raised boardwalks. There is an area with forts for the kids to make. There’s a small pond. There are bathrooms and an activity center. Good place to bring kids.

This is a great public space with easily walkable trails through the woods, friendly and knowledgeable workers in the building, and shy deer throughout the grounds. The festivals they host here are informative and very family friendly.

I love this place and have been coming here for years. Nice quiet trails. A great place to take the family, or just yourself. It is hidden in the back of a retirement center. So you just have to watch the signage closely. Plenty of parking.

This place was alright. I've been to better walking trails. It's okay if you want a quick ,light workout. I go more into detail on my YouTube and Facebook channel.

This is one of my favorite nature spots. I have used a wheelchair and walker here, but the entrance from the parking lot is not accessible with ramps. Unfortunately, there are many curbs and obstacles. I do appreciate how I can be pushed in a wheelchair through the trails, though. Also, there are plenty of picnic benches that are a short walk from the parking lot.

I was transported from the city to a lush beautiful forest in a matter of seconds you would never know you were still in the city of Chicago instead of a lush forest truly magical

Such a wonderful gem in the city to escape the city. The hike around the preserve is the perfect length for me to do with my young children, and I can take a stroller if needed.

I like how they host movie nights here! Super fun!

This is one of the best nature parks in the city that we love! It has different layers that makes the walk enjoyable - wetlands, prairie, forested, hilly. They also have a lot of programs that are very educational for adults and children. Highly recommended place!

Quiet and peaceful. We saw a little snake, turtles,chipmunks, frogs, a mother goose with goslings, and deer. As well as many kinds of birds.

Cute little nature trail with an Oak Savanna. Was not long the trails but you can do loops to get your miles in. Nice little nature getaway in Chicago.

It's such a wonderful gem in the city. Our class took a field trip and we had a lovely time. Awesome staff and beautiful area. I will be back with my family.

Nice place close to home to see some nature. Deer, ducks, waterfalls. It's no Yellowstone but the fact that it's close by in an urban area is nice.

So many deer. The trails are short but quiet and beautiful.

I had a great walk by myself, I happened to see a large hawk in a branch devouring what looked like a chipmunk. Shared video with friends and Chicago Ornithological group.

The nature center is a good time. I usually don't actually go into the nature center much anymore because they are not dog friendly. Peterson Park itself has alot of space and nice trails to brings dogs. The nature center is more of a family thing to take your kids to.

I went there after seeing high ratings, but nothing is good about it. There are unmanaged trails and a wild forest with flowers and trees. But unmaintained, everything is old and left as it is. Been to South Korea, and they have much better-maintained trails than this. Free Parking was confusing as it says reserved for the park

Awesome place takes its land acknowledgment statement regarding Native Americans very serious and does everything it can to build relationships. Can’t say enough about Northpark— thank you!!

I’ve been visiting this nature center since I was a kid. Its always been one of my favorite outdoor places tucked away in the city.

Great hidden gem in the city. Tons of native plants and wildlife, great trails and fun activities and festivals. In the winter there's almost always a fire going in the fireplace, and it's a great spot to rest and take in some nature. The camps are well run, and a great spot for kids to spend the summer. Volunteer workdays on Wednesdays to help keep the Buckthorn etc under control and the trails well kept. Huge variety of native plants too.

Always a pleasure to visit. This place makes you feel like you are far away from the city and is really just a few minutes drive from a busy intersection at Pulaski and Foster. Highly recommend!

One of my favorite places since childhood. Went to camp here and is still a great place to visit. Saw a doe here just the other day! The Oak savannah is one of my favorites.

Beautiful day at the North Park village nature center. A pleasant walk on well maintained chip paths. Kids were fascinated by the collection of animal skulls etc. in the main building.

Really beautiful. There was a woman ahead of me that a deer literally walked about a foot away from her, crossing the fields in between the paths! lol. I wanted to grab a picture, but didn't want to scare the doe off. I believe she got one, and good for her! Right place, right time! It was very peaceful, and located right in the middle of the city. I was disappointed I didn't see the waterfall that is supposedly there, but everything else I saw was truly worth it and great!

Great little nature preserve on the northwest side of Chicago with a playground for kids. Open seven days a week.

Favorite place to go to relax.......love the geese, squirrels, birds, deer......

The North Park Village Nature Center is always a hit, though I wish their hours went much later (they are open 9am-4pm daily as of Sept. 2021). There's lots to do nearby at off hours, though - the rock path by the waterfall is hidden but worth seeking out, and the nature play space by the playground is also a lot of fun for the kids.