Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock, Illinois dazzled us with a 65-foot deep lake, meandering creeks, dense woodlands, and prairies full of flowers and butterflies. Over 10-miles of hiking trails invite exploration of this Kane County preserve throughout the year.
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| Milkweed is blooming across Illinois prairies inviting monarch butterflies! |
We began our adventure hiking on a trail away from the lake. We enjoyed the prairie alive with flowers, butterflies, bees and birds before crossing the bridge across Big Rock Creek. Illinois prairies are definitely a must-see in the summer! While crossing the bridge, we paused to savor the views of Big Rock Creek. The creek provided a sense of gentle calm on what was a hot summer day.
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| Big Rock Creek gently meanders through the preserve winding through vibrantly green woodlands. |
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| A soft dirt trail leads down through the woodlands to the wetlands at Big Rock Forest Preserve. |
We hiked for a bit on the perimeter of the woodlands with the prairie on the other side of us. Soon, we doubled back and then headed toward the lake.
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| Siegler Lake emerges from behind brilliant green leaves and branches with red berries. |
Siegler Lake is magnificent. The lake was formed in the 1990's when floodwaters filled a limestone quarry. Today, the lake delights with beautiful views! Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are permitted during the designated season. We spotted both kayakers and anglers while taking in lake views.
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| Clouds reflect upon crystal Siegler Lake on a summer day. |
A hiking trail welcomes visitors to circle the lake. The views of the lake are so beautiful, you will want to circle it! From where we entered the trail, we spotted people across the lake up on the stone edge soaking up the views. How can you not pause for a moment of serenity?
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| Trails through the woodlands provided much needed shade on a hot summer day. |
We found the hiking trails at Big Rock Forest Preserve to be fairly easy to navigate. They are a blend of mowed grass, dirt, crushed rock, and gravel. There also are trails with screenings which we did not explore on this visit. Trails are multi-use trails, so you may find dog friends and bikers on the trails.
Big Rock Forest Preserves includes 840 acres of nature to discover. We loved the blend of woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands with the bonuses of fabulous lake and creek views. The woodlands are pretty dense, so I imagine they could be quite a delight in the fall. Big Rock Forest Preserve has a little bit of everything and offers an incredible nature respite for all.
Other Things To Know About Big Rock Forest Preserve:
- Big Rock has a campground.
- An area is available for horseback riding.
- There is a golf course.
- Swimming is not permitted in Siegler Lake.
- There are port-a-potties at the parking lots.
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