Liberty Prairie Nature Preserve, Libertyville, IL

Liberty Prairie Nature Preserve spans 1,000 acres across southern Lake County, with 17 miles of trails open to hiking, equestrian use, and bicycling. The preserve includes both tallgrass prairie and oak woodland, offering residents direct access to diverse ecosystems within minutes of downtown Libertyville. A 0.6-mile universally accessible loop at the northern trailhead allows strollers or mobility devices, while the main trail network connects to the 6.5-mile Des Plaines River Trail for extended rides. Picnic shelters, drinking water, and a 30-vehicle parking lot at the main entrance on Buckley Road serve daily visitors. The site also hosts seasonal controlled burns and restoration projects that keep the prairie open and support local wildlife. Because the preserve is managed by the Lake County Forest Preserves, trails and facilities remain open daily from sunrise to sunset with no entrance fee. Home buyers can reach Metra’s Libertyville station in roughly five minutes by car, and grocery stores and restaurants along Milwaukee Avenue lie less than two miles from the preserve’s eastern boundary.

Hiking Paths