Ryerson Conservation Area, Riverwoods, IL

Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods spans 564 acres of rolling woodland, prairie, and wetland along the Des Plaines River. Residents can access 9.5 miles of maintained trails for hiking, bird-watching, and cross-country skiing, plus a 1.5-mile river loop that connects directly to the Des Plaines River Trail. The site includes a nature education center with seasonal exhibits, a fishing pier, and picnic shelters available by reservation. The preserve’s topography and mature oak-hickory forest create a natural privacy buffer around adjacent neighborhoods. The property lies within a 15-minute drive of both I-94 and the Metra Union Pacific North Line at Lake Forest station, and it is 20 minutes from downtown Highland Park’s retail and dining districts. Seasonal programs such as maple syrup demonstrations, spring wildflower walks, and fall raptor watches are scheduled through the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Cross-Country Skiing Hiking Paths

Location

City Riverwoods

State Illinois

Averages

Taxes $21,595

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