Spring is here, the tulips and daffodils have popped, and the wildflower splendor is just around the corner! Early spring wildflowers have peeked through, but they’re tough to spot to the untrained eye. Pack up the kids (or steal some alone time!) for a wildflower walk in Lake County.
Any day now we will breathe a sustained sigh of relief when mother nature stops teasing us with her crazy Midwestern weather and it stays warm. When this happens, open spaces in Lake County will burst with morning glory, milkweed, thistle, and countless other native wildflowers. If you’re looking to identify some of what you’ve seen, check out Illinois Wildflowers, a website recommended by the Lake County Forest Preserve staff.
Located in Millennia Plaza near the Visitor’s Center, the Native Garden at Independence Grove includes pergolas, a short walking path, lake views, and a water feature. This is a great place to view native plants in a garden setting.
Native Garden at Independence Grove
16400 West Buckley Rd., Libertyville
Fox River Forest Preserve
28500 W. Roberts Road, Port Barrington
Raven Glen Forest Preserve
41080 N. U.S. Highway 45, Antioch
Hop on your bikes and plan to cover a lot of ground to take it all in on the Millennium Trail and Greenway. Catch the trail at Rollins Savanna in for breathtaking views of wide open spaces in the heart of our suburbia. Spring through fall you’ll see the natural cycle of the savanna change and wildflowers throughout the growing season.
Rollins Savanna
20160 West Washington Street, Grayslake
Although the Native Plant Garden is under construction, there is no shortage of wildflowers to see at Chicago Botanic Garden. Check out the area along the Skokie River Corridor or Prairie Garden to start.
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd.,Glencoe | (847) 835-5440
Looking for more ways to connect kids and nature? Plan to visit one of Little Lake County’s recommended best places to hike with kids.
Where is your favorite place to take in the wildflowers in Lake County? Let us know in the comments section.
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