Walter E. Heller Nature Preserve, Highland Park, IL

Walter E. Heller Nature Preserve occupies 110 acres of preserved land along the Des Plaines River in Highland Park, with 2.5 miles of marked trails that connect through oak-hickory woodland, restored prairie, and wetland edges. The preserve’s flat, compacted-gravel paths accommodate walking, jogging, and cross-country skiing; an observation deck overlooks a cattail marsh used by waterfowl. Picnic tables and a small parking area sit near the entrance on Ridge Road, while the regional Des Plaines River Trail links the site to adjacent forest preserves and the North Shore Bike Path. The surrounding residential streets lie within a mile of downtown Highland Park’s commuter rail station, grocery stores, and schools, giving residents quick access to both daily services and extended trail networks without leaving city limits.

Cross-Country Skiing Hiking Paths