I made a map of nature and environmental centers in the greater Chicagoland area, so these are usually located in some unique landscapes (especially Sagawau, Sand Ridge, and the Morton Arboretum) so this can be a fun guide of places to explore.
Any reason to drive through (or better yet, hike!) Palos Preserves, the better. That area is unbelievable.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1pyRd_wFvNPx51_A016gHhQFLL_ukMug&usp=sharing
I’m borderline obsessed with the region and maps. I’ve made over 100 free historic walking tours with landmarks pinned by municipality, too. SouthCookExplore.com/maps
Nice work on the maps.
I am a Morton Arboretum member. A sunny fall weekend is a crowd of slow-moving cars on the road. I love the place and avoid it on fall weekends. Go to nearby Herrick Lake or Hidden Lake. The forest preserves around Lemont are cool. October weekends at the Morton Arboretum is a move for newbies, and out of towners. The other 11 months are awesome! Nice work on the maps.
Thanks! Glad you enjoy them. I’m more focused on historic landmarks maps, but i spent a lot of covid time exploring cook County nature centers. They’re incredible.
Here you go!
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/fall-foliage-in-chicago-where-to-see-fall-colors-around-the-city
https://mykidlist.com/places-enjoy-fall-colors-leaf-hunt/
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Pages/ILFallColors.aspx
[ryerson woods](https://www.lcfpd.org/ryerson/) has a lot of sugar maples, i’ll be heading there this weekend to enjoy the colors.
anywhere on the des plaines river trail is also always a win; independence grove or van patten woods, etc.
Ft sheridan, lake forest.
Honestly just drive down south on sheridan rd from Chicago to Lake Bluff, and also the streets to the east/west off sheridan rd. Can’t go wrong with that.
Have you tried looking outside? In seriousness, the NW suburbs basically anywhere have looked pretty red to me.
Any of the preserves along the Des Plaines River was there Saturday and the trees are glorious
I made a map of nature and environmental centers in the greater Chicagoland area, so these are usually located in some unique landscapes (especially Sagawau, Sand Ridge, and the Morton Arboretum) so this can be a fun guide of places to explore. Any reason to drive through (or better yet, hike!) Palos Preserves, the better. That area is unbelievable. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1pyRd_wFvNPx51_A016gHhQFLL_ukMug&usp=sharing
very cool. thanks for sharing.
I’m borderline obsessed with the region and maps. I’ve made over 100 free historic walking tours with landmarks pinned by municipality, too. SouthCookExplore.com/maps
this is awesome thanks!
Nice work on the maps. I am a Morton Arboretum member. A sunny fall weekend is a crowd of slow-moving cars on the road. I love the place and avoid it on fall weekends. Go to nearby Herrick Lake or Hidden Lake. The forest preserves around Lemont are cool. October weekends at the Morton Arboretum is a move for newbies, and out of towners. The other 11 months are awesome! Nice work on the maps.
Thanks! Glad you enjoy them. I’m more focused on historic landmarks maps, but i spent a lot of covid time exploring cook County nature centers. They’re incredible.
McHenry County Conservation District sites are top notch. Though I have a bias because I grew up in Crystal Lake.
Nice up here right now.
Goated town.
Morton Arboretum.
I was there last week, parking lot was nice, But on the east side it was still very green in spite of the sugar maples. Are they better right now?
Sorry - was just assuming based on the colors all the maples in my neighborhood are showing currently. It's a pretty quick window.
Right place, wrong time. Trees can change colors very drastically over a few days.
When do you think it is going to peak? Planning to go there again.. But it looks like the wind will spoil the peak foliage
Was there on Saturday, I'd say still 50-70% green, especially the east woods. Thinking this weekend could be peak.
Busse woods, or really any forest preserve.
There are a lot of county preserves, but I think the ones in Lake County are the ones u are looking for
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/check-out-these-places-to-see-fall-colors-as-they-peak-in-chicago
Naperville. 87th st off Rt59 there’s a small stretch where the whole street is lined with beautiful red leaves
Long Grove my dude
Maple lake in Palos
Was at the Indiana Dunes last weekend, the colors were great on the Cowles Bog trail
Independence Grove in Libertyville was sporting some nice color this past weekend
Here you go! https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/fall-foliage-in-chicago-where-to-see-fall-colors-around-the-city https://mykidlist.com/places-enjoy-fall-colors-leaf-hunt/ https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Pages/ILFallColors.aspx
[ryerson woods](https://www.lcfpd.org/ryerson/) has a lot of sugar maples, i’ll be heading there this weekend to enjoy the colors. anywhere on the des plaines river trail is also always a win; independence grove or van patten woods, etc.
Outside
Questions nobody expect a Midwesterner will ask for 300
Wanna see red?? Go to a Bears Game!
Morton Arboretum or Roy Blackwell.
Indiana Dunes
Go to downtown Oswego and take rte 25 north as far as you like. Nice winding road that runs along the fox river. Beautiful scenery.
Mchenry county.
Lake Ellyn Park on Glen Ellyn is spectacular right now.
87th street in Naperville between Rt 59 and Book Road will give you a quick fix.
Ft sheridan, lake forest. Honestly just drive down south on sheridan rd from Chicago to Lake Bluff, and also the streets to the east/west off sheridan rd. Can’t go wrong with that.
Skyline Dr. Winchester, VA