Best Spots for Outdoor Photos in Lake County

Spring is a great time for taking family photos outside. Bright skies, blooming trees, and greenery are great backdrops for family pictures, and I love the candid shots you get of kids just being kids. Photographs also make the perfect gifts for mothers and grandmothers (hint, hint, dad).  We polled our Facebook Fans and asked some of our favorite photographers, and put together a list of the best spots in Lake County for outdoor photos.

Best Places in Lake County for Outdoor Photos

Lake County has something for everyone, from bridges to beaches to forests and prairies. We’ve tried to mark which locales have bridges as we know that’s a popular feature.

Downtown Long Grove

Features: Bridge, historic downtown
Downtown Long near the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin Road. This cute historic downtown and the covered bridge is a great spot for pictures. Avoid weekends due to crowds.

Nippersink Forest Preserve

Address: 900 West Belvidere Road, Round Lake
Features: Lake, piers
Prairie, woods, boardwalks, lakes, and fishing piers–there’s something for everyone.
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Sun Lake Forest Preserve

Address: 22925 W. Grass Lake Road, Lake Villa
Features: Bridges
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Chicago Botanic Gardens

Address: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Features: Gorgeous Gardens for whatever style you want, bridges, water, fountains–they have it all.
Permits: Permits may be required for professional photographers and are required for large groups. See the current Photography Policy of the Chicago Botanic Garden for the most up-to-date information.

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Address: 16400 West Buckley Road, Libertyville
Features: bridges, lakes, fountain, garden
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Illinois Beach State Park

Address: 1 Lake Front Drive, Zion
Features: Beach, Lake Michigan

Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve

Address: 24839 St. Mary’s Road, Mettawa
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Grant Woods Forest Preserve

Address: 25405 West Monaville Road, Ingleside
Features: Bridge
Fans recommend the walking paths on Monaville Road, near Route 59.
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve

Address: 117 Sheridan Road, Lake Forest
Features: Bridge and gorgeous lake views.
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Arbortheater

Address: 50 Memorial Drive, Vernon Hills (across from high school)
Features: Bridge, water

Ryerson Woods Conservation Area

Address: 21950 North Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Butler Lake

Address: 810 W. Lake Street, Libertyville

Behind Wauconda Park District Building

Address: 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda
Features: Bridge

Big Bear Lake

Address: 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills

Hastings Lake Forest Preserve

Address: 21155 W. Gelden Road, Lake Villa
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

McDonald Woods Forest Preserve

Address: 19611 West Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst
Permit required, Lake County Forest Preserve District Photographer’s Permit

Now, if you’re looking for some professional help with your photos, the photographers in our Little Lake County Photographers Pool are sure to capture these great locations with more skill than your smartphone.  Click the graphic below to find out who we’ve worked with in the past:

What is your favorite spot for photos?

Please note:  Professional photographers with equipment may require permits to shoot photos at many of these locations.  If you’re a professional, please remember to check with the individual sites for their policy before you go.  Families taking amateur photos of themselves are welcome to do so without a permit.