About Skokie Lagoons
Skokie Lagoons offers a unique opportunity for families to engage with nature in an urban setting, featuring accessible trails ideal for walking, running, and biking, alongside kayaking opportunities for an additional fee. It's particularly notable for its abundant birdlife, especially in spring, and serves as a peaceful escape for wildlife observation and photography.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking an active outdoor experience (biking, running, walking) on accessible trails.A quiet and relaxing family outing away from city bustle.Older children and families interested in kayaking, provided they are prepared for potential equipment wear.Families looking for stroller and wheelchair-friendly outdoor spaces.Trails are suitable for all ages, including toddlers in strollers and older children for biking/running.
Why families love it
- Excellent, friendly staff for kayak rentals.
- Abundant birdlife (e.g., blue herons) visible, particularly in spring, making it great for nature observation and photography.
- Smooth, paved, and accessible trails suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, running, and biking.
- Beautiful views and a quiet, relaxing atmosphere for reflection.
- Offers a 'nature feel' hidden within an urban environment.
- Free parking is available on-site.
Insider tips
- If kayaking, inspect rental equipment (e.g., seats) before heading out to manage expectations.
- Check recent weather forecasts; heavy storms can make the lagoon swampy with felled trees, impacting kayaking conditions.
- Arrive early on weekends for kayak rentals to avoid long wait times, as online reservations are not offered.
- Bring blankets or mats if you plan to sit on the ground, due to prevalent goose droppings.
- For direct access to Chicago Botanic Garden, park at the Tower Road lot and walk north to the pedestrian entrance.
- Visit in spring for the best bird watching opportunities, as the lagoons are 'brimming with birds'.
Good to know before you go
- Kayaking immediately after heavy storms, as the lagoon can be swampy with felled trees.
- Weekend kayak rentals if you are on a tight schedule or dislike long queues (no reservations available).
- If you expect pristine, brand-new kayaking equipment, as rentals are noted to have broken seats.
- If you are highly sensitive to natural elements like goose droppings on the ground.
- Many rental kayaks and canoes are not in great condition, with broken seats reported.
- Crowds
- Weekends can experience long wait times for kayak rentals, indicating higher crowds around the rental area.
- Value
- Kayaks and canoes rent for $30 per hour, with additional time billed at $5 per 15 minutes. This is generally considered a good price by reviewers despite the reported condition of some equipment. Entry to the preserve and parking are free.
- Accessibility
- Smooth, paved, and accessible trails are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, ensuring ease of movement for all family members.
- Safety
- The area is generally perceived as 'relatively safe' by visitors.
What parents say
"A beautiful trail even in winter. Smooth, paved and accessible trails throughout. I recommend parking in the lot at Tower Road and walking north to the pedestrian entrance to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Recommended."
2 weeks ago
"Beautiful forest preserve. The lagoons are usually brimming with birds in spring. It's a quiet and relaxing place to walk and reflect."
3 months ago
"Rented 6 kayaks. Staff is awesome. Many of their kayaks & canoes, however, are not in great shape. Broken seats, etc. price otherwise are good - $30/hour and then $5/15m thereafter… The lagoon right now is pretty swampy after the storms with felled trees. We saw blue herons and other beautiful birds along the route! Would be great if they offered online reservations to avoid long wait times on the weekends."
6 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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