McHenry County is home to over 20,000 acres of conservation district land as well as either in whole or part two Illinois state parks and one state natural area. These wide open spaces so close to the urban landscape create a natural escape and offer a respite from the ever day hustle.
The eastern region of McHenry County is a naturalist paradise. Start your exploration at Volo Bog State Natural Area (815/344/1294) which is the only "quaking" bog in Illinois to have an open water center. This National Natural Landmark contains over 1,400 acres of marshes, prairie, woodlands and two additional bogs. The 1⁄2 mile Interpretive Trail and 2.75 mile Tamarack View Trail leads visitors through the diverse communities within the park. Picnicking is available in designated area and the Visitor Center includes restrooms, shop, program room, exhibits, hands-on discovery area and library.
A short drive to the south-west is Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry (815/385/1624). About half of the parks 2,200 acres is wetlands and lakes and includes the McHenry dam on the Fox River. Over 10 miles of trails make Moraine Hills popular for hikers, skiers, and cyclist and provide one of the park's main recreation features. A wide variety of wildlife call Moraine Hills home including great blue herons and green herons and is heavily used by migratory waterfowl. Picnicking is available throughout the park's 10 day use areas each offering drinking water, and rustic facilities. Two concession stands and flush facilities area available at the McHenry dam and the park office on Lake Defiance and both offer boat rentals, bait and tackle.
Spring Grove in the northeast corner of Illinois is the home of Chain O' Lakes State Park (847/587/5512). The 2,793 acre park and adjoining 3.320 acre conservation area borders three natural lakes - Grass, Marie and Nippersink, and the Fox River that connects the other seven lakes - Bluff, Fox, Pistakee, Channel, Petite, Catherine and Redhead. With nearly 6,500 acres of water and 488 miles of shoreline on the chain, Chain O' Lakes is the heart of a water wonderland. The park has four trail systems including the 2.25 mile Nature's Way trail and 1⁄4 mile Pike Marsh North designed especially for disabled users. An 8 mile equestrian trail is available with horse rental available May-October (815/675/6532) or a parking lot for horse trailers is available near the park entrance. A 6 mile hiking/biking trail is accessible from any picnic area between the park office and concessions. All trails can be used for cross-country skiing with a warming house in the park office on weekends. The park has 151 Class-A Premium camp sites in two areas and 87 Class-B Premium sites in three locations. Three cabins are also available for rent. Hunting, fishing, boating and boat/canoe rentals are also available at Chain O' Lakes.
Perhaps the crown jewel of the McHenry County Conservation District is Glacial Park in Ringwood (815/338/6223). Highlights of the 3,125 park include Delta kames, glacial moraines, tallgrass savannas, kettles, meadows and the scenic Nippersink Creek. Nearly 7 miles of trails wind past many glacial features of the park. Canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are all popular activities at Nippersink Creek with a launch site at Keystone Road Landing. Camping is available with canoe access only The Prairie Trail bike path traverses Glacial Park on its eastern border and allows access to all the amenities of the park. The Prairie Trail runs the length of McHenry County from its junction in Algonquin with the Fox River Trail and continues north to the Wisconsin state line.
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