Lincoln (Abraham) Park
Managed by Chicago Park District
964 acres17.2 mi of trail
Lakefront Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailheadWebsite ↗
Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0A−Outdoors
Outdoors in Chicago
8% of Chicago’s land is conserved, and 99% of residents live within a half mile of a park
242 miles of mapped trail cross Chicago, 1.1 per square mile of land. The biggest trail networks: Lincoln (Abraham) Park (17.2 mi), Jackson Park (9.8 mi), Schiller Woods South Preserve (7.4 mi). 8% of Chicago’s land is conserved, about 11,906 acres.
Ahead of 76% of U.S. towns · #241 of 768 in Illinois. What drives it
Conserved land
8%
11,906 acres · of 227.7 sq mi of land
Trails
242 mi
1.1 per sq mi of land
Park land
9,742 ac
3.6 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
99%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
569 mi
336 mi lanes · 135 mi paths
Highest peak
614 ft
Players Hill
Lakes & rivers
78
29 beaches · 59 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Chicago?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Chicago have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Chicago is ahead of 76% of U.S. towns, #241 of 768 in Illinois. The share of residents near a park holds the grade up; park acres per resident pull it down.
A−
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Chicago’s overall grade.
Conserved land8% of the land · typical IL town 4% · U.S. 4%B+Trails1.1 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (242 mi) · IL 0.3 · U.S. 0.4A−Park land3.6 acres of park per 1,000 residents (9,742 acres) · IL 15 · U.S. 13CParks close to home99% of residents within a half mile of a park · IL 88% · U.S. 72%A
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 76%
LessMore
Illinois towns of 2,500+ (768)Ahead of 69%
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Chicago ranks #224 on Outdoors.
Park acres per resident are where Chicago trails most U.S. towns: 3.6 per 1,000 against 12.6 typical, since 2.7 million people share 9,742 acres.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would range from B to A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it. A citywide figure averages neighborhoods that differ a lot.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is Lincoln (Abraham) Park, with 17.2 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Jackson Park
Managed by Chicago Park District
508 acres9.8 mi of trail
Wetland Walk
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Schiller Woods South Preserve
Managed by Forest Preserve District of Cook County
512 acres7.4 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailhead
Burnham Park
Managed by Chicago Park District
451 acres5.6 mi of trail
Lakefront Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Grant Park
Managed by Chicago Park District
319 acres5 mi of trail
Lakefront TrailPedway
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto Grant Park South GarageWebsite ↗
Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park
Managed by Chicago Park District
193 acres4.4 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Washington (George) Park
Managed by Chicago Park District
330 acres4 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Garfield Park
Managed by Chicago Park District
149 acres3.3 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
All 520 parks & preserves
Lincoln (Abraham) Park964 acres · 17.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJackson Park508 acres · 9.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSchiller Woods South Preserve512 acres · 7.4 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsBurnham Park451 acres · 5.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGrant Park319 acres · 5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHumboldt (Alexander Von) Park193 acres · 4.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWashington (George) Park330 acres · 4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGarfield Park149 acres · 3.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDouglass (Anna and Frederick) Park146 acres · 3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCalumet Park170 acres · 2.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMarquette Park299 acres · 2.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPalmer Park36 acres · 2.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLaBagh Woods and Sauganash Prairie Preserves180 acres · 2.3 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsWooded Island Natural Area69 acres · 2.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods Preserve255 acres · 2.1 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsForest Glen Woods Preserve179 acres · 2.1 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsMillennium Park29 acres · 2 mi of trail · Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
DirectionsCaldwell Preserves217 acres · 1.9 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsRoman Pucinski Preserve199 acres · 1.9 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsPortage Park36 acres · 1.9 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSchiller Woods North Preserve442 acres · 1.8 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsHegewisch Marsh129 acres · 1.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRiis Park50 acres · 1.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 566 (USX)64 acres · 1.7 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNortherly Island99 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLegion Park51 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMount Greenwood Park51 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWolf Lake Overlook96 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsWarren Park82 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBurnham Wildlife Corridor64 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNorth Park Village Natural Area46 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsShabbona Park27 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMontrose Point Bird Sanctuary17 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark 565 "Indian Ridge Marsh"150 acres · 1.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWilliam W. Powers State Recreation Area662 acres · 1.3 mi of trail · Illinois Department of Natural Resources
DirectionsRainbow Beach Park107 acres · 1.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPeterson (Pehr Samuel) Park27 acres · 1.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLa Villita Park26 acres · 1.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBig Marsh Park289 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsEggers Grove166 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsOgden Park57 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBrighton Park Community Campus (Park No. 596)23 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMidway Plaisance72 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNortherly Island Natural Area43 acres · 1.1 mi of trail
DirectionsMaggie Daley Park30 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDouglass Boulevard23 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKennedy Park21 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCatherine Chevalier Woods Preserve429 acres · 1 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsMcKinley Park72 acres · 1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsIndian Road Woods Preserve63 acres · 1 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsGompers Park40 acres · 1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHumboldt Park Natural Area31 acres · 1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHamilton Park29 acres · 1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGately Park29 acres · 1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDunning Read Natural Area33 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBurnham Nature Sanctuary24 acres · 0.9 mi of trail
DirectionsSteelworkers Park19 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLaFollette Park14 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Horner Natural Area14 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSouth Shore Cultural Center77 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLoyola Park37 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHarold Washington Park26 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRiver Park24 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAvalon Park23 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSenka Park16 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMilton Lee Olive Park16 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · MWRD
DirectionsColumbus Park129 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsOriole Park20 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBessemer (Henry) Park20 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
South Pond Natural Area13 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMontrose Beach Dunes Natural Area10 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSherman (John) Park57 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHayes Park23 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPiotrowski Park21 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDunbar Park21 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAmundsen Park21 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Abbott Park20 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRowan Park17 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLeClaire-Hearst Park14 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary11 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsArmstrong Park9 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Marian R. Byrnes Park139 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFoster Park26 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLegion Park Natural Area17 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCalifornia Park14 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBogan Park14 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPasteur Park14 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRobichaux Park13 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsIndependence Park13 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRutherford Sayre Park13 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFernwood Park9 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRiverpoint3 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsHorner Park57 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGage Park29 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Carver Park27 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDouglass Park Natural Area23 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsRogers Park20 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLindblom Park20 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNorth Pond Nature Sanctuary16 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Lincoln Park Conservatory
DirectionsNorwood Park16 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Field (Eugene) Park14 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHarrison Park14 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDunham Park14 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPolk Bros Park14 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsArcher Park14 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRussell Square Park13 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCornell Square Park13 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Rainey Park11 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Mather Park11 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNorth Park Village - Walking Stick Woods Natural Area11 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMichael Madigan, Sr. Park10 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsArmour Square Park10 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Wildwood Park10 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFuller Park9 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Rosenblum Park9 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Merrimac Park9 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFrank Wilson Park9 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPalmer Square Park9 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsLawler Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Levin Park4 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsArthington Mall3 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · University of Illinois at Chicago
DirectionsJesse Owens Park21 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Ellis Park16 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNichols Park16 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDurkin Park14 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Tuley Park14 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Ada Park14 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBeverly Park14 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Clara D. Schafer Park13 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Dawes Park13 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMandrake Park13 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFranklin Park13 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWest Chatham Park11 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRevere Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsChopin Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Jane Addams Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKosciuszko Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsOakdale Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMetcalfe Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
O'Hallaren Park7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Golden Gate Park7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
South Shore Nature Sanctuary7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsSherwood Park7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Park No. 5407 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBrooks Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSenn Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGreenebaum Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJosephine Bradley Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Lakeshore East Park4 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWadsworth Campus Park4 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsRoberts Square Park4 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Touhy-Herbert Park4 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKiwanis Park3 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAqua Lifestyle Garden3 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsChicago Women's Park and Gardens1 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Music Court1 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
Beaubien Woods247 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsNorth Park Village Nature Center Park61 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsMann Park26 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWinnemac Park23 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRichard Clark Park21 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsTrumbull Park21 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Palmisano Park Natural Area20 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsPing Tom Memorial Park17 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWelles Park14 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHale Park13 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Bloomingdale Trail Park13 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBrainerd Park13 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGompers Park Natural Area11 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMcGuane Park11 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDavis Square Park9 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMinuteman Park9 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Edgebrook Park9 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNorth President's Court9 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsJefferson Memorial Park9 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHollywood Park9 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKilbourn Park7 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRainbow Beach Dunes Natural Area North7 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Lorraine Dixon Park7 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsTouhy Park7 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsChallenger Park7 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRidge Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHamlin Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Skokie Park District
DirectionsSidney Brown Memorial Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsEuclid Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 5806 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsUptown Natural Area6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCrescent Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Nat King Cole Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park Dirstrict
Park No. 5986 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMcCormick Bird Sanctuary6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsMarovitz Savannah Natural Area6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsMorgan Field Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRiver Esplanade6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsEugene Field Natural Area4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Blackwelder Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMozart Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Cooper Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAthletic Field Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLouis Anderson Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Merrill Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Leone Beach Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWrightwood Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Jessie 'Ma' Houston Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBrighton Park Natural Area3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsProspect Gardens Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAlfred Caldwell Lily Pool3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Lincoln Park Conservatory
DirectionsRenaissance Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark at 150 N Riverside3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · 150 N Riverside
DirectionsPendleton (Hadiya) Park1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWentworth Gardens Park1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsThe Park at NTA1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Medical Sciences Courtyard1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsWolf Point Riverwalk1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsColiseum Park1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsThe Willis Terrace1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Willis Tower
DirectionsPalmisano (Henry) Park27 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMargate Park24 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsUIC South Fields24 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWest Ridge Nature Preserve23 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGrand Crossing Park20 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBernard Stone Park16 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRonan (George) Park14 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJackie Robinson Park14 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Union Park13 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWentworth Park13 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKelvyn Park13 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsIndian Boundary Park11 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Sauganash Trail11 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsOlympia Park9 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Pottawattomie Park9 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSeward Park9 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsEckhart Park9 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDaniel Hale Williams Park9 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSheridan Park9 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLake Meadows Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Rainbow Beach Dunes Natural Area South6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsStanton Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPeanut Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsTaylor-Lauridsen Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAustin Town Hall Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsTarkington Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGraver Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Jane Addams Memorial Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 5714 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGreen Briar Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Pulaski Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGroveland Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Woodhull Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Brands Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBurnside Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAltgeld Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Wendell Smith Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
River Park Natural Area3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Block Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLogan Square3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsPing Tom Natural Area3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJensen Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSouthbank Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsLivingston Field Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCanal Origins Park Natural Area3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCotton Tail Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Galewood Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 5783 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Hartigan Beach Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
McInerney Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Grandparents Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBoler Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Kathy Osterman Beach Dunes Natural Area3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsBohn Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDurso Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKedvale Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLangley Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJardine Bird Sanctuary3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Park No. 579 - Ridgeway Trailhead3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBickerdike Square Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMark Twain Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Park Number 5741 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Arthur Ashe Beach Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHoard Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Gill Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Roosevelt Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGwendolyn Brooks Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGaribaldi Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Stephen A. Douglas Monument Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Illinois Historic Preservation Division
Bosley Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Independence Square1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWoman's Garden1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWalsh Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJesse White Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsButtercup Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLuella Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
McCormick Square1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsArcade Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHasan Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
The Green at 3201 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Riverside Development, Convexity Properties
DirectionsPark No. 5001 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
South Garden1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsPullman Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 5991 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsGarfield Park Natural Area1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 5291 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPatrick King-Anthony Lockhart Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Battle of Fort Dearborn Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
Park No. 5521 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPowderhorn Prairie and Marsh Nature Preserve69 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Forest Preserve District of Cook County53 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsHeron Pond49 acres
Big Marsh Bike Park34 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsButler Field23 acres
DirectionsVittum Park16 acres · Chicago Park District
Hiawatha Park14 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsClarendon Park14 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSkinner Park14 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsOz Park13 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 59713 acres · Chicago Park District
Job Corps Riverbank13 acres
DirectionsWest Pullman Park11 acres · Chicago Park District
Lyle Park10 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsEckersall Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
Smith Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMahalia Jackson Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPrairie Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
Lerner Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSouth President's Court9 acres
DirectionsKenwood Community Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBlackhawk Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMunroe Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
Veterans Memorial Park9 acres · Chicago Park District
Burnham Prairie7 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Robert Taylor Park7 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCurie Park7 acres · Chicago Park District
Valley Forge Park7 acres · Chicago Park District
Lake Shore Park7 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsEdward Kelly Park7 acres · Chicago Park District
Gold Star Families Park7 acres · Chicago Police Memorial Foundation
Dvorak Park7 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDrexel Square7 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark Number 5287 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLily Gardens Park7 acres · Chicagho Park District
DirectionsChicago Riverwalk6 acres
DirectionsHoman Square Park6 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAuburn Park6 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsOrr Park6 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsStateway Park6 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsChase Park6 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLowe Park6 acres · Chicago Park District
Normandy Park6 acres · Chicago Park District
Arrigo Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFosco Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
Sauganash Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKensington Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
Murray Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHermitage Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWicker Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsStrohacker Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
Wolfe Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
Ronan Park Natural Area4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLoyola Dunes4 acres
Willye B. White Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWilliams-Davis (Hattie Kay, Izora) Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
Mary Bartelme Park4 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMayfair Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFernwood Parkway Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Edward H. White Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMoore Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAustin-Foster Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Cosme Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHermosa Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Diversey Natural Area3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRyan Harris Memorial Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Bell Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
63rd St. Beach Dunes3 acres
DirectionsMontgomery Ward Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBobolink Meadow3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCragin Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Chippewa Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Bixler Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMeyering Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKen-Well Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLakefront Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Richard J. Daley Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCanal Origins Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Rosedale Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Jonquil Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDonovan Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Horan Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Berger Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKennicott Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Harrison Square3 acres
DirectionsScottsdale Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Park No. 5733 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsChi Che Wang Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Jefferson Playlot Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Leland Giants Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Moran Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Avondale Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGarfield Square3 acres
DirectionsHaas Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSchreiber Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAlcott Park3 acres
DirectionsGross Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
Sain Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMaplewood Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGertrud Kolmar Park3 acres · Chicago Park District
The Boardwalk - Confluence3 acres
DirectionsCentennial Park1 acres · Oak Lawn Park District
Gladstone Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Memorial Park1 acres · Blue Island Park District
Beniac Greenway Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Henry Austin Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCanalport Riverwalk Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsParkview Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPatterson Park1 acres · Hometown Park District
DirectionsIndian Road Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Dougherty Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Morgan Park Sports Center Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWashington Square1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFlorence Stout Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsTriangle Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRiverwalk East1 acres
DirectionsBroadway Armory Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHelen Doria Beach Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Barnard Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Rogers Beach Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Tobey Prinz Beach Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Starr Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Hoyne Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
McKiernan Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsClark Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPleasant Point Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Sacramento Square1 acres
DirectionsMyrtle Grove1 acres · Chicago Park District
Harry W. Pearce Memorial Grove1 acres · University of Illinois at Chicago
DirectionsKells Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMonument Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsTrebes Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCity Farm Park1 acres
DirectionsLane Beach Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDearborn Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGlobal Covid=19 Memorial Park1 acres
DirectionsJohn Wilson Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsChurchill Field Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJeffery Green Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGoose Island Overlook1 acres
DirectionsLamb Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Micek Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Dooley Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFarr Field1 acres
DirectionsBeilfuss Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRidge Park Wetlands1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFulton River Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSeneca Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 5121 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsShedd Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMary Richardson Jones Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAdams Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSpruce Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsBack of the Yards Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Fred Anderson Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSenior Citizens Memorial Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsTilton Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsNorth Garden1 acres
DirectionsWallace Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Augusta Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsRavenswood Manor Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsErhler Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsJuneway Terrace Beach Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Cascade Park1 acres
DirectionsJacob Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMarshfield Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSouth Lakeview Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAlmond Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Fellger Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 4891 acres · Chicago Park District
Kucinski-Murphy Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Barrett Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Park No. 5841 acres · Chicago Park District
Guadalupe Reyes Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDean Playground1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPietrowski Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMatanky Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsDeJulio Playlot Park1 acres · Chicago Park Dirstrict
Prairie District Park1 acres · Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
DirectionsLinden Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark No. 5671 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsHubbard Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary1 acres
DirectionsHudson Chess Park1 acres
DirectionsCollege of Medicine Courtyard1 acres · University of Illinois at Chicago
DirectionsSaint Leo's Veteran's Garden1 acres · AMVETS
DirectionsPeriwinkle Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Buena Circle Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsSt. Vincent's Circle1 acres · DePaul University
DirectionsOhio Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Dubkin Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAiello Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Supera Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsMarlene Wesolek Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Park No. 5831 acres · Chicago Park District
Margaret Hie Ding Lin Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Park No. 5921 acres · Chicago Park District
Lucy Flower Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsAshmore Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsGrand Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsLorraine Hansberry Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Hodes Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Stehman School Playground1 acres
DirectionsPine Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsFireman's Park1 acres
DirectionsBuffalo Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsCentral Playlot Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsPark West Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsElysian Field1 acres
DirectionsCottonwood Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Nelson Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
Privet Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsKeeler Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsD'Elia Park1 acres · Chicago Park District
DirectionsWho protects it
11,906 conserved acres
8% of Chicago’s land. Who manages Chicago’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
Town or city9,050 ac
Private owners3,208 ac
State natural resources536 ac
Land trusts & nonprofits96 ac
Regional agency70 ac
State conservation69 ac
National Park Service1 ac
Local Park · 8,767 acPrivate Conservation · 3,048 acConservation Easement · 615 acLocal Resource Management Area · 177 acLocal Recreation Area · 142 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 90 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Calumet Private Conservation | Private owners | 3,048 | Restricted |
| Lincoln (Abraham) Local Park | Town or city | 1,001 | Open |
| Burnham (Daniel) Local Park | Town or city | 612 | Open |
| Jackson (Andrew) Local Park | Town or city | 505 | Open |
| Washington (George) Local Park | Town or city | 315 | Open |
| Park No. 564 Local Park | Town or city | 287 | Open |
| Grant (Ulysses) Local Park | Town or city | 286 | Open |
| Marquette (Jacques) Local Park | Town or city | 285 | Open |
| Calumet Local Park | Town or city | 177 | Open |
| Humboldt (Baron Von) Local Park | Town or city | 174 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
1,573 places to go in Chicago
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Beaches in Chicago
12th Street BeachIn Northerly Island
Directions41st Street BeachIn Burnham Park
Directions57th Street BeachIn Jackson Park
Directions63rd Street BeachIn Jackson Park
DirectionsArdmore Hollywood (Osterman) BeachIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsCalumet Beach
DirectionsFargo Beach
DirectionsGlenlake Avenue Beach
Directions12 more beaches
Hartigan BeachIn Hartigan Beach Park
DirectionsHumboldt BeachIn Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park
DirectionsJuneway BeachIn Juneway Terrace Beach Park
DirectionsLeone BeachIn Leone Beach Park
DirectionsLoyola BeachIn Loyola Park
DirectionsMargaret Burroughs BeachIn Burnham Park
DirectionsMunson Beach
DirectionsOak Street BeachIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsOhio Street BeachIn Jane Addams Memorial Park
DirectionsSherwin Beach
DirectionsSouth Shore BeachIn South Shore Cultural Center
DirectionsThorndale Avenue BeachIn Lane Beach Park
DirectionsPlus 9 beaches without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Public pools in Chicago
California PoolIn California Park
DirectionsDouglass PoolIn Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park
DirectionsHolstein Park Pool
DirectionsPortage Park PoolIn Portage Park
DirectionsRiis Park PoolIn Riis Park
DirectionsWater PlaygroundIn River Park
DirectionsPlus 13 public pools without a name on the map.
Playgrounds in Chicago
Arthur Telscer PlaygroundIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsAustin Playground
DirectionsAustin Water PlaygroundIn Henry Austin Park
DirectionsBixler PlaylotIn Bixler Park
DirectionsBrighton Park Nature Play SpaceIn Brighton Park Natural Area
DirectionsBrighton Park PlaygroundIn Brighton Park Natural Area
DirectionsBurnham PlaygroundIn Burnham Park
DirectionsButtercup Park - Playground
Directions22 more playgrounds
California PlaygroundIn California Park
DirectionsCatholic Community of St. James Playlot
DirectionsCradle NestIn Maggie Daley Park
DirectionsCrocodile PitIn North Park Village - Walking Stick Woods Natural Area
DirectionsCummings PlaygroundIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsDecatur Classical School
DirectionsDiversey PlaygroundIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsDorothy's Playground
DirectionsEast PlaygroundIn Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park
DirectionsEckhart PlaygroundIn Eckhart Park
DirectionsEli M. Schulman PlaygroundIn Seneca Park
DirectionsEnchanted ForestIn Maggie Daley Park
DirectionsEugene Field Nature Play SpaceIn Field (Eugene) Park
DirectionsEugene Field PlaygroundIn Field (Eugene) Park
DirectionsForrest CampIn North Park Village - Walking Stick Woods Natural Area
DirectionsGarfield Playground -EIn Garfield Park
DirectionsGarfield Playground -NEIn Garfield Park
DirectionsGoldberg Playground
DirectionsGompers Park - PlaygroundIn Gompers Park
DirectionsGompers Park Natural Play SpaceIn Gompers Park
DirectionsGrape Park Playground
DirectionsHadiya Pendleton Park - Playground
Directions1,137 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Chicago
Belmont Harbor Dog BeachIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsBryn Mawr Dog Friendly AreaIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsCalumet BarkIn Calumet Park
DirectionsChallenger ParkIn Challenger Park
DirectionsChi Town Dog House
DirectionsChurchill Dog Friendly Area
DirectionsD'Angelo Dog Park
DirectionsDog Park at Park No. 598
Directions20 more dog parks
Fred Anderson ParkIn Fred Anderson Park
DirectionsGrant Bark ParkIn Grant Park
DirectionsHasan Park
DirectionsJackson BarkIn Jackson Park
DirectionsKosciuszko Dog ParkIn Kosciuszko Park
DirectionsLarrabee Dog ParkIn Montgomery Ward Park
DirectionsLawrence House Dog Park
DirectionsMontrose Dog BeachIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsNorwood Park Dog ParkIn Norwood Park
DirectionsOhio Place Dog Park
DirectionsPark No. 556
DirectionsPark No. 569
DirectionsPark No. 591
DirectionsPark No. 592In Park No. 592
DirectionsPottawattomie Dog ParkHours: 06:00-23:00
DirectionsPrarie District Dog ParkIn Prairie District Park
DirectionsPuptown Dog ParkIn Margate Park
DirectionsService Animal Relief Area
DirectionsWiggly Field Park
DirectionsWoof Lawn Dog Park
Directions64 dog parks are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Boat launches in Chicago
Park No. 571 Boat LaunchIn Park No. 571
DirectionsRichard J. Daley Park Boat Launch
DirectionsRichard J. Daley Park Boat Launch
DirectionsRiver Park Canoe Landing
DirectionsRiver Park Canoe Launch
Directions59 boat launches are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Fishing spots in Chicago
101 Street Pier
DirectionsCanal Origins Fishing Area
DirectionsGompers Park - Fishing AreaIn Gompers Park Natural Area
DirectionsPark No. 571 Fishing Area
DirectionsSchiller WoodsIn Schiller Woods North Preserve
DirectionsPlus 16 fishing spots without a name on the map.
Waterfalls in Chicago
14 waterfalls without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Chicago
360 Chicago
DirectionsCentral Observatory
DirectionsChicago SkylineIn Palmisano (Henry) Park
DirectionsJane Byrne Interchange and BSB
DirectionsLincoln Park Passerelle ViewpointIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsMontrose Moonrise Observation PointIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsSt.Louis OverlookIn Bloomingdale Trail Park
DirectionsStearns QuarryIn Palmisano Park Natural Area
Directions54 scenic views are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Peaks in Chicago
Players Hill614 ft elevation · In Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary
DirectionsHidden HillIn Schiller Woods South Preserve
DirectionsHorner Park HillIn Horner Park
DirectionsMount BridgeportIn Palmisano (Henry) Park
DirectionsObama Center Sled HillIn Jackson Park
DirectionsSchiller Woods-East Sledding HillIn Schiller Woods North Preserve
DirectionsSoldier Field Sledding HillIn Burnham Park
DirectionsPlus 1 peak without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Picnic areas in Chicago
Beaubien Woods Picnic Shelter Grove 1In Beaubien Woods
DirectionsBunker Hill Picnic Shelter Grove 1In Caldwell Preserves
DirectionsCaldwell Woods Picnic Grove 2In Caldwell Preserves
DirectionsCaldwell Woods Picnic Shelter Grove 1In Caldwell Preserves
DirectionsCatherine Chevalier Woods Grove #1In Catherine Chevalier Woods Preserve
DirectionsCatherine Chevalier Woods Grove #2In Catherine Chevalier Woods Preserve
DirectionsCatherine Chevalier Woods Grove #3In Catherine Chevalier Woods Preserve
DirectionsChe Che Pin Qua Woods Grove #1In Schiller Woods South Preserve
Directions22 more picnic areas
Dan Ryan Woods - 91st Street Grove 1In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - Central Grove 1In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - Central Grove 2In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - Central Grove 3In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - Central Grove 4In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - East Grove 10In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - East Grove 13In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - East Grove 14In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - East Grove 9In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - North Grove 15In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - North Grove 16In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - South Grove 11In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - South Grove 12In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - West Grove 5In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - West Grove 6In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - West Grove 7In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsDan Ryan Woods - West Grove 8In Dan Ryan Woods Preserve
DirectionsEdgebrook Woods Picnic Shelter Grove 1In Indian Road Woods Preserve
DirectionsEggers Grove Picnic Grove 2In Eggers Grove
DirectionsFood Court
DirectionsForest Glen Woods Picnic Shelter Grove 1In Forest Glen Woods Preserve
DirectionsGompers Park - Picnic GrovesIn Gompers Park
Directions94 picnic areas are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Community gardens in Chicago
Altgeld Gardens Community FarmIn Beaubien Woods · Urban Growers Collective
DirectionsAvant GardenUChicago Phoenix Farms
DirectionsBrickyard Garden25 families from Woodlawn and South Hyde Park
DirectionsBronzeville Alliance Neighbor Garden
DirectionsBronzeville Community Garden
DirectionsBurk School Community Garden
DirectionsChicago Lights Urban Farm
DirectionsCommunity Roots Demonstration GardenIn Skinner Park · Chicago Park District
Directions22 more community gardens
Cornell Oasis
DirectionsDePaul Urban GardenDePaul University
DirectionsDorchester Community Garden
DirectionsEckhart Park Community GardenIn Eckhart Park · Chicago Park District
DirectionsEdgewater Beach Community GardenIn Lincoln (Abraham) Park
DirectionsEduCare Preschool FarmUrban Growers Collective
DirectionsEnglewood Village Plaza
DirectionsFarm on Ogden Youth FarmChicago Botanic Garden/Windy City Harvest
DirectionsFirst Nations Community Garden
DirectionsGinkgo Gardens
DirectionsGoose Island Overlook GardenIn Goose Island Overlook
DirectionsHarold Washington Memorial Garden
DirectionsHart Peace Community Garden
DirectionsHoward Area Community Garden
DirectionsJackson Park Community GardenIn Jackson Park · Urban Growers Collective
DirectionsKing Drive Community Healing & Resilience Garden
DirectionsLa Guayabita Autonoma
DirectionsLa Huerta Roots and Rays
DirectionsLoomis Street Community GardenIn Skinner Park · Skinner Park Advisory Council
DirectionsMcKinley Park Community GardenIn McKinley Park
DirectionsMet West Community Garden
DirectionsMonticello Community Garden
Directions74 community gardens are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Trails & water
22 named trails and 57 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 25.9 miUnpaved · 45.6 mi
Lakefront Trail2.8 mi
Pedway2.8 mi
Riverwalk2.3 mi
Horner Park Nature Trail1.1 mi
North Park Village Trail - Main Loop0.5 mi
Walking Stick Woods Trail0.4 mi
Lagoon path0.3 mi
Riverbank Neighbors Trail0.3 mi
North Park Village - Savanna Trail0.3 mi
North Park Village Trail0.2 mi
12 more trails
North Park Village - Woodland Trail
0.2 miNorth Park Village - Wetland trail
0.2 miPendleton (Hadiya) Fitness Course
0.2 miBloomingdale Nature Trail
0.2 miRonan Nature Trail
0.1 miNichols Bridgeway
0.1 miAqua Running Track
0.1 miWetland Walk
0.1 miCTA Jackson Pedway
0.1 miMillennium Station / Pedway
0.1 miBloomingdale Trail
0.1 miWest 91st Street Path
0.1 miLakes & rivers tap for directions
31st Street Harbor59th Street Harbor8th Street FountainAlfred Caldwell Lily PoolpondAuburn Park LagoonBelmont HarborBotany PondpondBuckingham FountainBurnham Harbor North BasinBurnham Harbor South BasinChildren’s PoolDiversey HarborDouglass Park LagoonpondDouglass Park Lily PoolpondDrexel FountainEast LagoonEli Bates Fountain (Storks at Play)Flatfoot LakelakeFountain of the Great LakesGarfield Park LagoonGateway Plaza FountainGompers LagoonGurgoyle FountainHarborside MarshpondHeron PondlakeHope B. McCormick Swan PondpondHumboldt Park LagoonlakeJackson Park Inner HarborJackson Park Outer HarborKovler Sea PoolLake CalumetlakeLake MarionreservoirLake WillowmerepondLake of MemoriespondLake of ReverencepondLily PoolpondMarovitz Golf PondMarquette LagoonMcCormick FountainMcKinley Park LagoonModel Yacht BasinpondMonroe HarborNorth 100 Year BasinreservoirNorth PondpondNorth Winter BasinreservoirOgden SlipPeaceful LakepondPool 1Pool 2Pool 3Calumet RiverChicago RiverDes Plaines RiverNorth Branch CanalNorth Branch Chicago RiverSouth Branch Chicago RiverSouth Fork South Branch Chicago River
Biking & sports
569 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
336 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
135 mi
off-road bike paths
98 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
Courts & fields
652Tennis
568Baseball
411Basketball
249Soccer
165Pickleball
108Beach volleyball
79Football
28Softball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →407 places on the National Register, 41 of them National Historic Landmarks
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 82 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
★
First Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction, Site ofNational Historic Landmark · Site · listed 1966
About it★
Room 405, George Herbert Jones Laboratory, The University of ChicagoNational Historic Landmark · Building · listed 1967
About it★
Auditorium Building, Roosevelt UniversityNational Historic Landmark · Building · listed 1970
About it395 more on the History page.
When to get out
The best walking months in Chicago: July and September
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.8 | 13.3 | 14.5 | 15.2 | 14.9 | 13.8 | 12.4 | 11.0 | 9.8 | 9.1 |
| High (°F) | 32 | 36 | 47 | 58 | 70 | 80 | 84 | 82 | 75 | 63 | 49 | 37 |
| Rain (in) | 2.0 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 2.1 |
February is the driest month (1.8 in) and July the warmest (highs of 84 °F). 4.4 inches fall in May, the wettest month. The climate in Chicago →
Next door
Chicago and its neighbors
Chicago has the most mapped trails of the 8 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Chicago242 miNiles Township30 miMaine Township22 miLeyden Township13 miWorth Township7.8 miSchiller Park2.9 miStickney Township2.0 miRosemont0.9 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 8% | 1.1 | 4 | 99% | A− |
| Leyden Township | 1% | 0.6 | 2 | 95% | B− |
| Maine Township | 3% | 0.8 | 4 | 98% | B |
| Rosemont | 2% | 0.5 | 9 | 99%+ | B |
| Worth Township | 5% | 0.2 | 6 | 99% | B |
| Schiller Park | 1% | 1.0 | 1 | 99%+ | B |
| Niles Township | 7% | 1.4 | 6 | 99%+ | A− |
| Stickney Township | 3% | 0.2 | 5 | 99% | B− |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Chicago
Where can I hike in Chicago?
The longest trail networks: Lincoln (Abraham) Park, 17.2 miles; Jackson Park, 9.8 miles; Schiller Woods South Preserve, 7.4 miles; Burnham Park, 5.6 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Chicago is conserved land?
8% of its land, against a typical 4% for an Illinois town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Chicago’s trails?
Lincoln (Abraham) Park and Jackson Park don’t have dog rules recorded on the map; check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Chicago?
569 miles of bike routes are on the map: 336 of painted or protected lanes, 135 of off-road paths and 98 of shoulders and shared lanes.
Is there public land near Chicago?
32,685 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Chicago or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 9,746 of them inside the city line.
How much outdoors does Chicago have?
Ahead of 76% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #241 of 768 in Illinois. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Chicago neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →