Sun Lake Forest Preserve Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The entrance is located on the south side of Grass Lake Road, just west of Deep Lake Road and east of Route 83.

Sun Lake Forest Preserve features a mosaic landscape of oak woodlands and wetlands, including an outstanding example of an Illinois glacial lake for which the site is named. Due to the delicate and unstable nature of the shoreline, access to Sun Lake itself is not possible or permitted.

A footbridge and 3.25 miles of gravel trails provide access for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and nature and wildlife observation. Please keep dogs leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them.

Three spurs connect the main trail to a residential community, the Lake Villa Baseball Park and Longwood Centre Park, home to the historic Lehmann Mansion.

The property was acquired in various stages beginning in 1999. Much of the site's wetlands were previously drained and farmed.

The preserve's 25-acre Sun Lake empties into the headwaters of Sequoit Creek. A 57-acre portion of the property extends north of Grass Lake Road, providing protection for Sequoit Creek as it flows through the preserve into East Loon Lake. Surrounding the lake are Advance Identification (ADID) wetlands, grasslands, and oak woodlands.

Through staff and volunteer efforts, more than 100 acres of prairie have been planted in the former agricultural fields. Natural water levels are being restored in the site's indigenous wetlands. Invasive plants have been removed and native seed planted. Additional plantings of prairie and wetland vegetation, and hundreds of native trees and shrubs provide valuable habitat for wildlife and rare plant species that occupy the preserve.