LaBagh Woods — Attraction in Jefferson Township

It amazes me that there is a woods like this right in Chicago. We have so many great resources here that I can't believe anyone needs to be involved in unhealthy activities. These resources are FREE in Chicago. Folks, nature is built in to our minds and bodies; get out and take a walk on weekends, or after or before work. It's restorative. The rating of three stars is due to the glass I found on the trail in some sections (not too much though) and the difficulty of getting to the trails and into the park from Cicero on a bicycle. More bike lanes please and cyclists won't slow down traffic. Riding there on my mountain bike will be for practice and to get some nature time into my day but it's nice to have this woods in a busy congested urban area. Of course, there is evidence of gang activity in one area and some glass on the trails in various sections. Watch out for poison ivy if you have small children on the trails. If we all clean up a little and take a small bag of trash out each time we walk or ride there, it will be cleaned up quickly. Enjoy the outdoors all seasons; it's where you can restore your soul and...

You don't have to go far out of town to get your fix of nature, thanks to Labagh woods and the other amazing forest preserves around Chicago.

You've got some really well maintained wild land, open fields, hard-pack jogging trails, and a bike path which runs up to Skokie. There's really something for everyone.

It's not a huge area though, so if you're looking for something more than a quick nature walk, like an all-day activity, then this isn't for you- but in terms of proximity and convenience you cant beat it.

I've visited labagh woods a few times in the past but today (may 6th 2018) was the most fantastic.

I went to see if I could find any morel mushrooms, but ended up running into the Audubon Society birdwatchers who were there watching the river for migrating warblers- of which there was a massive amount and at least 4 different species. They had binoculars and telephoto lenses- and were willing to teach me, a completely novice birdwatcher, about what we were seeing.

I also saw some deer and some beautiful wildflowers, and all of that together left me feeling very fulfilled for the...

Charming pocket of green, accessible with ease via stone and dirt paths.

In my visits I have met volunteers who clear invasive growth and built housing for Prothonorary warblers.

Wildlife abounds despite we ever present human visitors.

I have even seen Police patrol a half mile into the woods. Which I presume speaks to safety rather than threat.

This morning's walk led me to trail a small heard of deer for 15 minutes only to be fully surrounded for a half hour by a group of 9 that included 4 yearlings whom recklessly bounded around an acre of soft yellow clover and bare trees boasting early buds.

A cardinal sang for my exit from the woods today. When I paused to sight him in my binoculars... I saw him and his mate sharing a perch with a horned owl, neck turned 180 degrees, who had been looking at me longer than I at him. The owl danced along the 5 foot perch as I less gracefully withdrew from...