Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda is Lake County's largest forest preserve at 2,835 acres. The preserve welcomes wanderers to an absolute nature gem. We recently embarked on an early spring hike in the preserve and quickly became quite enamored with nature refuge.
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| Despite the clouds during our visit, the lakes of Lakewood Forest Preserve dazzled and displayed stunning reflections. |
An Early Spring Meander at Lakewood Forest Preserve
Meandering along the trails of Lakewood Forest Preserve in early spring immediately treated us to the melodic sounds of the frog chorus. Lakewood Forest Preserve is home to several lakes and wetlands providing essential habitat to some of our favorite wildlife including frogs. In fact, the habitats of Lakewood Forest Preserve provide homes for 24 threatened and endangered species.
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| Calm of the early spring lake at Lakewood Forest Preserve. |
Lakewood Forest Preserve is part of both the Millenium and Fort Hill Trails open to biking, hiking and cross-country skiing. Sections are open to horseback riding as well. Trails are of mixed surfaces dependent on section. This provides for additional avenues of adventure.
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| Tree reflections paint a tableau on a lake at Lakewood Forest Preserve. |
A World of Birds
As we walked between two lakes, we noted an angler peacefully fishing. The landscape was quite idyllic with trees painting their forms as reflections upon the tranquil lake. We spotted goldeneye ducks in one of the lakes. They have become one of my favorites birds of the year, so I watched them with delight as the pairs dove for nibbles. We also saw graceful tree swallows swoop close to the lake to catch insects.
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| A lone tree emerges as we explore the grasslands. |
After walking between the lakes, we soon found ourselves crossing through a tunnel below the adjacent road. We emerged in a grassland. Despite the day being a bit gray and the grassland still under the browns of winter, birds called and flew about us. We spotted red-winged blackbirds and Eastern bluebirds. I was entirely thrilled to see my first Eastern bluebirds of the season!
Initially, the land where today's preserve is located was parceled out between 1835 and 1865 and used by farmers for firewood and lumber. Eventually, the land would be converted into farms and eventually a large dairy ranch in 1961. Lake County Forest Preserve District's acquisition of the land began in 1968. Today, we are fortunate to now have this vast preserve to enjoy. We found Lakewood Forest Preserve entirely stunning and full of wildlife -- definitely a preserve worth a visit soon.
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