St. Paul Woods Forest Preserve, Morton Grove, IL

St. Paul Woods Forest Preserve occupies 80 acres along the North Branch of the Chicago River in Morton Grove. The site includes a paved multi-use trail that connects to the regional Des Plaines River Trail, providing a continuous route for cycling and jogging. Visitors can access fishing platforms along the river, picnic shelters with grills, and a playground near the parking area. A restored tall-grass prairie and oak woodland provide year-round scenery, with seasonal wildflowers and migrating birds visible from the trail. The preserve is adjacent to the Morton Grove Metra station and the village’s main commercial corridor on Dempster Street, allowing residents to reach downtown Chicago in approximately 25 minutes by train. Public restrooms and drinking fountains are located at the main entrance, and the grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.