Monarch Flats Park, Round Lake, IL

Monarch Flats Park occupies 28 acres along the north shore of Round Lake, providing direct waterfront access and a 1.2-mile paved trail that connects to the regional Grant Woods Forest Preserve system. The park features a 2,400-square-foot playground with separate zones for younger and older children, four lighted tennis courts, two full-size soccer fields, and a 0.8-acre dog park enclosed by a six-foot fence. A 150-foot fishing pier extends into the lake, and a kayak launch allows non-motorized watercraft entry. Picnic shelters with electrical outlets accommodate up to 40 guests each, and restrooms remain open year-round. The shoreline includes a 300-foot boardwalk that overlooks native prairie restoration areas planted with milkweed and black-eyed Susan. From the park’s central hill, residents can reach Round Lake Beach’s shopping district in under ten minutes by car or use the adjacent Metra Union Pacific-Northwest Line station for commuting to Chicago.

Hiking Paths