Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Great (17) beautiful (16) nice (13) park (13) great (12) trails (12) Chicago (10) walk (10) recommend (10) trail (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Valeria L. 11 months ago on Google • 56 reviews
    Always enjoy my walks and running here, there plenty of parking all through the trail and near fishing dock. Also you can take the trail all the way to the botanic garden.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Essence M. 3 years ago on Google
    Soooo gorgeous!!! If you love the woods, the lake, the great outdoors and open spaces, this is the place for you. I recently discovered this place and it's a nature haven. Serene, scenic and just a pleasure to visit. Also it's HUGE so it's easy to get in a great workout whole enjoying the views. I will definitely have to come back here again very very soon!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joe R. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great getaway just for an hour or two to hop in an kayak to unwind. The team handling the rentals are super nice. There is wildlife to see and admire.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eithne M. 1 year ago on Google
    Skokie Lagoons is such a great place to spend time if you don't want to go all in and commit to a day at the botanic gardens! There are picnic benches, pavilions, port-o-potties, kayaks and more. Also, some trails are paved, others are gravel, and there are dirt paths areas off the trails, too. Dogs are welcome on leashes!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Juan L. 5 years ago on Google • 77 reviews
    These botanical gardens are the most beautiful that I have seen. A MUST SEE whether you are visiting or live in Chicago! My personal favorite is the Japanese gardens. Summer and spring are the best times to see all the greenery and beautiful vegetation in full bloom. You can easily spend several hour to a couple days here. Be ready for a good walk. Take water, sunglasses and a hat if you can.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 steven m. 6 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    The lagoons experience was quite nice. I've been here a couple of times, once when the sun was scorching hot and walking on the trails. The other time was recently biking on the trails while the weather was much cooler and slightly cloudy. A much more pleasant experience. The walking and biking trails are the same divided by a line. There is a 10 mile total trail path to follow which circles around the Chicago Arboretum. The scenery is beautiful in some spots while the rest is open roads or secluded trees overhanging the path. There were moments where we saw some Bald Eagles flying around which was amazing. The only downside I experienced was dealing with the "professional" cyclists on the paths. Very rude and never slow down which is dangerous especially with children around. The crosswalks to go over the roads are a little hectic at times due to cross traffic but other than that it was an enjoyable experience. I would recommend visiting the Lagoons if you have a chance. There is kayaking, fishing, canoes, and lots of sight seeing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Charles A. 3 years ago on Google
    Very tranquil and picturesque
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Keith S. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice park. The water levels are still low from last year, I was there less than a month ago. I saw some kids fishing at the "hotspot". They told me they caught some koi with bread and bass on worms. Koi? Really? I caught a few sunfish and a bass there last year. Real small pond that can get over crowded very quickly.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ZEE G. 4 years ago on Google
    if you dont appreciate stuff like this, you are a fool
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peter K. 6 years ago on Google
    Awesome place!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dave S. 6 years ago on Google
    Nice park in the middle of Northbrook
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 T & C K. 6 years ago on Google
    Beautiful!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jon H. 1 year ago on Google
    Good dirt trail if you know where to look. It's getting more popular. When I went there, the parking situation was getting full. I used to be the only one going there. Now there are 50 cars parked there.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Asya K. 1 year ago on Google
    It was a really nice place to take a walk. And the botanical gardens are right at the halfway point of the 4.4 mile loop, which was a great detour for us! I definitely recommend checking this place out, it's a bit different than the surrounding area. Not super exotic of course, but very nice.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Greg C. 1 year ago on Google
    Went on Sunday, this was my second time kayaking. Im enjoying the water and outdoors, the lagoon loops around and well just go and see, or you wont know for yourself if you like the place or not.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lorita M. 2 years ago on Google
    Phenomenal, fantastic, unique display of Christmas lights coordinated with music that appeals to all ages! The walking trails revealed one surprise after another so beautiful that I will never forget it! Going next year!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 laurie r. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful place for a lazy summer afternoon. Water is still and it's a great place for a beginning kayaker. Never very crowded. People working there are friendly and helpful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Barkha G. 9 months ago on Google
    Fun kayaking experience! Super friendly crew and affordable rentals. Totally recommend on a sunny day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charlie V. 9 months ago on Google
    Very beautiful love the nature area rest area available as well
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rich R. 5 months ago on Google • 201 reviews
    Great place to kayak or canoe. They also have rental kayaks off Tower Rd.. awesome area to bird watch or fish also.

  • 4/5 Scott C. 4 months ago on Google • 176 reviews
    We visited the Chicago Botanic Garden at the Skokie Lagoons. It was the Lightscape, holiday themed show. The lagoons provide a great backdrop for the laser lights and other water related lighting features. It certainly would be nice to come back in daylight to appreciate the foliage and displays. Here's a look at the video I created from the visit. https://youtu.be/_ydU3dY1SeQ?si=OGtXrdyocdVh5nJC

  • 5/5 Lola L. 1 year ago on Google • 154 reviews
    So I’m a nature junkie and we just had to check this place out! It was absolutely beautiful the views of the lagoons are absolutely breathtaking. Not to mention the trails were clean. Definitely plan on returning to kayak and bbq with the family!!! Definitely highly recommend!!!

  • 5/5 Richard G. 9 months ago on Google • 68 reviews
    Excellent forest preserve with bike trails that is great for nature walks. I would recommend bug spray, especially in the late spring, summer months. Take your time an ejoy the natural beauty around. This locale is near the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL.

  • 5/5 David S. 2 months ago on Google • 34 reviews New
    Beautiful restful and accessible describes the Skokie lagoons approximately 20 miles north of Chicago city center and extremely accessible to those on the North Shore in northwest suburbs. Free access to all. If you want to pay for extraordinarily beautiful surroundings just had about 10 minutes north to the Chicago Botanic Gardens

  • 5/5 Eric D. 2 years ago on Google • 18 reviews
    Went to the Chicago botanical gardens for Lightscape. It was awesome, definitely would recommend. Do get advanced tickets. This is just a taste of what they had. We regularly go to the gardens, they always have it updated for the seasons..

  • 5/5 Kristen D. 3 years ago on Google
    Great sledding hill! And lots of good hiking. Porta potty and covered picnic area.

  • 5/5 Melissa H. 3 years ago on Google
    Has a great 4 mile paved loop for biking and running as well as unpaved walking trails around the water. A great landscape that lets you escape the city scenery, just not the people. It is a popular spot.

  • 5/5 Christian A. 3 years ago on Google
    The light display was beautiful. It was interesting to see all of the different displays. The checkin procedure was wick and easy. Only issue is being moved along by staff while taking pictures in certain areas.

  • 5/5 Mario z. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place for a bike, walk or crawl into the woods!!! Kids like the great outdoors, consider taking your little ones tall ones or hyper active ones on a stroll!!

  • 5/5 Samer T. 4 years ago on Google
    A mazing place to relax and it’s free admission vary big I can’t wait to go again and take a walk enjoying the seen a lot plants from every part of world and I can enjoy nice meal at the restaurant. I love the nurture and it’s beast place to relax.

  • 4/5 Al B. 3 years ago on Google
    Good place to go for a walk, bike ride or fishing even tough didn't catch any fish

  • 5/5 Loretta L. 3 years ago on Google
    This is at The Chicago Botanical. I went there with two of my friends We had a delightful day there! It's a peaceful place. There are waterfalls and lily ponds. The beauty of such diversity is what makes it delightful! They have an herb garden. They have an extraordinary ping pong flower. There are beautiful lakes ponds.

  • 5/5 Marion H. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice nature place but trails were very icey when I was there due to weather and foot traffic.

  • 5/5 Jack M. 3 years ago on Google
    it was an incredible lightshow highly recommend to see a little pricey but worth it

  • 5/5 Ian S. 3 years ago on Google
    Walk on lake cool

  • 5/5 Ammad M. 3 years ago on Google
    Enjoy nature❤

  • 5/5 Jordyn M. 3 years ago on Google
    A beautiful view, and walk too. Great social distancing.

  • 5/5 Bonnie H. 3 years ago on Google
    I went on the coldest day so far - but it was so beautiful despite the cold! Worth a few cold fingers

  • 5/5 Dustin A. 3 years ago on Google
    Super fun park during the winter. Not a lot of wild life though.

  • 5/5 L. L. 3 years ago on Google
    I LOVED it! I love nature, I will be back.

  • 5/5 Christie B. 3 years ago on Google
    Rally beautiful artistic lighting

  • 5/5 Laura D. 3 years ago on Google
    Lightscape was amazing!!!

  • 5/5 Christina G. 3 years ago on Google
    Paved paths, pavilions, lots of wildlife, variety of scenery, very peaceful to walk or ride a bicycle with family/ friends; Cyclists in the warmer months can be aggressive and rude though

  • 3/5 Maria B. 3 years ago on Google
    Is it ok

  • 5/5 Joe V. 3 years ago on Google
    Lightscape is amazing

  • 5/5 Deborah P. 3 years ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful

  • 5/5 rusti t. 3 years ago on Google
    Who's ready!

  • 4/5 Brandon R. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful oasis in an suburban setting.

  • 5/5 Richard W. 3 years ago on Google
    A nice place to walk and chill.

  • 5/5 James D. 3 years ago on Google
    So nice of a place with out door actives.

  • 5/5 Austin C. 3 years ago on Google
    Great spot for nature and fishing!

  • 4/5 Maria R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I really liked the place, the diversity of plants it has is super. And given the situation we are going through, this is a place to visit, walk and learn something new. (Original) Me gusto mucho el lugar, la diversidad de plantas que tiene es super. Y dado la situación que estamos atravesando, este es un lugar para visitar, caminar y aprender algo nuevo.

  • 5/5 Hyun L. 3 years ago on Google
    HUGE park!! So much to see!! Great place for fishing and kayaking. So many activities.

  • 5/5 Julio M. 3 years ago on Google
    The crown jewel of Cook county forest preserves!

  • 4/5 Taj A. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place to see and good location 👍

  • 5/5 Jody R. 3 years ago on Google
    SPECTACULAR!!!

  • 5/5 Maggie J W. 3 years ago on Google
    So much fun and so beautiful

  • 5/5 Pary F. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) very nice I recommend it .to ride a bike 1 lake to fish to walk in the forest to be bbq (Original) muy bonito lo rrecomiendo .para andar en bicicleta 1 lago para pescar para caminar en el bosque para aser bbq

  • 4/5 James R. 3 years ago on Google
    Very pretty, nice walking

  • 3/5 Mary F. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to have fun but no nearby food stalls wheneve you feel hungry.

  • 5/5 Robert G. 3 years ago on Google
    Due to reservation requirement, sparse congestion.

  • 5/5 Tomasz S. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place.

  • 5/5 Christopher K. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome

  • 5/5 Roma S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice running track. The length of the track is 4,200 miles. Nice length for morning jogs! (Original) Дуже приємна доріжка для бігу. Довжина доріжки 4.200 милі. Приємна довжина для ранкових пробіжок!

  • 5/5 Alex C. 3 years ago on Google
    So tranquil

  • 5/5 Denise B. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place for a picnic.

  • 3/5 Jonathan P. 3 years ago on Google
    Fishing

  • 5/5 Jonathan E. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to park for a bike ride

  • 5/5 Ed S. 3 years ago on Google
    It's in the process of prairie restoration.

  • 5/5 Joel F. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful wildflowers hidden in a prairie paradise

  • 3/5 Brett S. 3 years ago on Google
    They are transforming this area back to prairie with trails, unfortunately not ready yet. We walked around and got tons of ticks, luckily just wood ticks.

  • 1/5 Francis J. 3 years ago on Google
    Boring. Kids won't have fun here.

  • 5/5 Louise C. 3 years ago on Google
    Enjoying Autumn leaves colors,

  • 5/5 Robert H. 4 years ago on Google
    Very fasinating place Would highly recommend to anyone if you're out west

  • 5/5 vadim n. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place

  • 5/5 Dobie D. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful.

  • 4/5 Kevin J. 5 years ago on Google
    No fire pits? Nice shelters / pavilions. Dog friendly. Plenty of woods. Dumpsters. Close parking. Great for picnicking. Maintained lawn, spacious for pickup games. Place to ditch hot coals but no firepits nor fire rings. Close to interstate 94. ...

  • 5/5 Monica J. 4 years ago on Google
    Love it

  • 5/5 Miss Jean A. 4 years ago on Google
    Very Beautiful& Peaceful!

  • 5/5 Jill V. 4 years ago on Google
    Very pretty and I would recommend the park

  • 3/5 Jay M. 4 years ago on Google
    Great I guess .

  • 3/5 Kihlibarn M. 5 years ago on Google
    Those are somme woods

  • 5/5 Fernando R. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice place (Original) Muy bonito este lugar

  • 5/5 John M. 5 years ago on Google
    Is this a prairie dock/compass plant hybrid?

  • 1/5 Matthew B. 5 years ago on Google
    Like actual Somme

  • 3/5 tatyana r. 6 years ago on Google
    Good place for walking, nothing special.

  • 4/5 Brandon B. 6 years ago on Google
    Surprisingly large grouping of trails and some old trees. Trails are narrow and burrs can be abundant. Lots of volunteers are working on eradicating the invasive species. It can be really wet after any measurable reason event. Rarely crowded.. Never crowded actually. I see deer on most every visit.

  • 5/5 Kevin M. 7 years ago on Google
    It's just so incredibly beautiful

  • 5/5 Brian M. 7 years ago on Google
    Beautiful

  • 4/5 Stefanie S. 3 years ago on Google
    We went to the playground to have fun. My son loved being able to explore one side then also play on the littler side with his sister.

  • 5/5 D D. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome playground equipment! Pickle ball courts! Baseball fields!

  • 4/5 dana d. 3 years ago on Google
    Poorly maintained all launch pads need reworked needs proper signage low hazard to lose a disk All par 3 No benches for a break No Mando hole Over all good course we will be back

  • 5/5 Christelle L. 3 years ago on Google
    Love the park. I took beautiful pictures there

  • 3/5 Leah S. 3 years ago on Google
    Needs some TLC broken grates, fence

  • 5/5 Robert S. 5 years ago on Google
    Well cushioned ground. Well maintained climbing equipment. Places to sit. Wheelchair accessible picnic tables

  • 5/5 c w. 4 years ago on Google
    Great park.cool stuff...

  • 5/5 Matthew G. 5 years ago on Google
    Great park for kids of all ages in HP

  • 2/5 mario c. 4 years ago on Google
    Need more land care

  • 5/5 Justin N. 3 years ago on Google
    Clean

  • 5/5 jose m h. 4 years ago on Google
    👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

  • 5/5 Alejandro Alvarez O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very cool (Original) Muy chévere

  • 2/5 Robert R. 4 years ago on Google
    Litter needs 2 get picked up

  • 5/5 Sandy S. 5 years ago on Google
    Great sledding!

  • 5/5 Edwin A. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice clean park

  • 4/5 Baba B. 5 years ago on Google
    Fun playground

  • 2/5 Todd S. 5 years ago on Google
    They need to redo the tennis courts. Most of the courts flood when it rains.

  • 4/5 andre s. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice park for kids and families

  • 5/5 Indigo D. 5 years ago on Google
    Super fun!!

  • 5/5 Gregory R. 1 year ago on Google
    Very peaceful naturalistic wetland park in northern Cook County. Fun for the whole family.

  • 5/5 Neury F. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is an absolute must go / must see. It has great activities for all ages and year round, from cross country skiing and sledding during colder months, to biking, running, and fishing during warmer ones.

  • 5/5 Erin D. 1 year ago on Google
    Chicago River and Kayak is fantastic. Great service, reasonable prices for rentals, and good availability of kayaks and canoes

  • 5/5 Mary B. 1 year ago on Google
    The Skokie lagoon bike and walking trail is an excellent and well-maintained trail within the Forest preserve district of Cook county Illinois. It was very easy to park our car and unload our bikes. We other people using the boat launch to put in small boats to row around the lagoon. The trail was well-maintained and easy to ride our bikes.

  • 5/5 gayle p. 9 months ago on Google
    When I was a kid we went here for our good humor ice cream. Always a pleasant time with my family. Just hadn't been here in years. Memories! Loved it.

  • 5/5 Dorothy L. 10 months ago on Google
    I like the lagoons you can go boating, fishing, hiking, bike riding or just sit and look out at the water. Very pretty and calming place.

  • 4/5 Joseph E. 6 months ago on Google
    These lagoons are close to my mother's house. So I have been there many times. There is a very nice paved bike trail that I enjoy using. It connects with the Chicago Botanical Gardens. The only problem is that many people use the trail, so pick your timing carefully. If you like dirt paths, they have those too. Those are less busy, but be watchful of an occasional mountain biker.

  • 5/5 D Rose (. 8 months ago on Google
    Beautiful and peaceful. Pack food and drinks! Great place to relax.

  • 5/5 Leishla V. 3 months ago on Google • 5 reviews New
    Great place to go for bike rides, fishing, walks, or to relax and enjoy nature.


Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Glencoe Beach image
1
Glencoe Beach
Park
This North Shore beach operates seasonally & offers boat/chair rentals, concessions & picnic areas.
4.50 (580 reviews)
Oak Leaf Park image
2
Oak Leaf Park
Park
👍👍 Parks being free are always 5 stars There is a donation box; please help a dollar or more because animals gotta eat.
4.60 (328 reviews)
Wilson Park image
3
Wilson Park
Park
👍 it is a very nice park. never been before. clean and spacious. restrooms are clean. playgrounds are well equiped. picinic area is enjoyable. I wish my grandson were with us. I hope I see such parks in my home country. God bless America.
4.50 (244 reviews)
Last updated:
()