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Community Guide

Neighborhood Series: Explore the Natural Beauty of Burr Ridge, IL

Nestled between Cook and DuPage counties, Burr Ridge is known for its large distinguished homes on spacious lots and upscale lifestyles. Along with country clubs and golf courses, Burr Ridge offers a rich history, natural spaces, and parks that would make this a happy place to call home.

If Burr Ridge is on your house hunting list, this local’s guide will give you insights into nearby parks, paths, and outdoor recreation spots. Where you put down roots matters and exploring surrounding areas, not just open houses, will give you a peek into how your future daily life might look. Here are some of the top outdoor locations in and very near Burr Ridge to mark down on your map to explore!

Waterfall Glen

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is located in southern DuPage County and is aptly named for its waterfalls along Sawmill Creek that empties into the Des Plaines River. Waterfall Glen is ideal for hikers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and horseback riding, with 11 miles of trails inside naturally rolling terrain. This 2,492-acre forest is also suitable for fishing, camping, and model airplane enthusiasts. 

Features & Amenities 

  • Hiking & walking
  • Mountain biking
  • Running
  • Dogs (on leash)
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Fishing
  • Youth-group camping

Fullersburg Woods 

Open to the public for over one hundred years, Fullersburg Woods has a deep-rooted history. Fullersburg Woods is dedicated as a multiple-use land, and plans were put in place to preserve and restore the natural surroundings and provide environmental education. Today, Fullersburg Woods is a haven for wildlife inside an urban community and home to red foxes, beavers, and migratory birds. 

Features & Amenities 

  • Hiking & walking
  • Horseback riding
  • Cross country skiing
  • Dogs (on leash)
  • Picnicking 
  • Fishing
  • Boating

Illinois Prairie Path

Locally known as Prairie Path, this network is home to sixty-one miles of bicycle trails and is primarily located in DuPage County. Most Illinois Prairie Path is categorized as rail-to-trail, where abandoned railroad tracks have been removed to make way for expansive bicycle paths. The must-see section of this trail is a canopy of trees that offers a shaded path in the summer and is ideal for anyone who may be looking for the perfect place to put in long miles without interruption. 

Feature & Amenities 

  • Horseback riding
  • Mountain biking 
  • Hiking & walking
  • Boating
  • Camping

Maple Lake

Maple Lake is a peaceful spot for locals to enjoy carefree days of quiet boating and fishing trips in southwestern Cook County. Maple Lake was initially constructed in the 1920s and has been a tranquil getaway for local anglers for generations, offering over eight thousand feet of shoreline for a relaxing place to cast a line. The wildlife population of the surrounding area is a prime location to spot ducks, geese, fox sparrows, and tufted titmice. 

Features & Amenities 

  • Hiking & walking
  • Cross country skiing
  • Fishing
  • Mountain biking
  • Boat rental
  • Ice fishing
  • Dogs (on leash)

Greene Valley Forest Preserve

At nearly fourteen hundred acres, Greene Valley Forest Preserve is home to over five hundred forty native plant species, making it one of DuPage County’s most naturally beautiful areas. The site includes a one-hundred-and-ninety-foot tall overlook that will give a birds-eye view of the Chicago skyline beyond the natural landscape, making it a must for a family picnic. Over three-quarters of the Greene Valley Forest Preserve trails are open to the general public for equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers to explore. 

Features & Amenities

  • Hiking & walking 
  • Mountain biking 
  • Horseback riding
  • Cross country skiing
  • Scenic overlook 
  • Picnic areas
  • Youth group campground
  • Off-leash dog area
  • Model craft area
  • Oak Cottage & Greene Farm Barn

Swallow Cliff Woods

Initially constructed in 1930, Swallow Cliff Woods includes one hundred and twenty-five limestone stairs that lead to the top of what was once a toboggan run. Even though the run has been closed since 2004, locals have found the stairs to be a prevalent location to exercise for both casual walkers and fitness experts alike. During the winter, the bluff still serves as an attractive sledding hill for everyone to enjoy. 

Features & Amenities

  • Hiking & walking
  • Cross country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Bicycling 
  • Fitness stairs
  • Equestrian parking
  • Dogs (on leash)

Burr Ridge’s natural beauty is enough to make this destination the place to call home for outdoor enthusiasts, with nearby cascading waterfalls of Waterfall Glen, the peaceful fishing of Maple lake, or the scenic overlook of the Green Valley Forest. There is no doubt that Burr Ridge is ideally located and has many reasons for the whole family to take a step outside.

This article is brought to you by Nathan Mortgage – Mortgage Broker Burr Ridge, IL.

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