The main entrance is located on Middlefork Drive off of Waukegan Road (Route 43) between Routes 60 and 176. A map of the forest preserve may be found here.

Lake County Forest Preserve District

www.lcfpd.org/middlefork-savanna

31 miles from the center of town

Paved trails are accessible.

Biking, Birdwatching (blackbirds, cranes, egrets, herons, kildeer, sparrows, woodpeckers), Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Running and Wildflowers.

The preserve is named for the middle fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River. It is adjacent to two restored farm estates once owned by descendants of meat packing magnate Phillip Danforth Armour and now operated by non-profit organizations: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve and Elawa Farm.

While there are no facilities on the trail, portable toilets are available in the Elawa Farm parking lot adjacent to the trail.

Stop for lunch at the One Eleven Food Hall, 756 East 111th Street, Chicago and try either Majani which features delicious vegan cuisine or Lexington Betty Smokehouse which features excellent barbecue and salads. Save room for the delicious bourbon praline cheesecake.

Des Plaines River Trail which is described on this website

Spring, Summer, Fall