Chicago Portage National Historic Site — Attraction in Lyons Township

The Portage hasn’t changed much with the Deer and bird habitat as well as wild flowers and shrubbery. However, there is increased litter, graffiti and much dog walking with some owners not cleaning up their pets mess as well as some owners that attach pets to waist or worse don’t leash them! Got quite the scare Today when an older man with 3 large dogs had hard time restraining them to the point they almost bit me and my leashed little dog who I carried when I saw his dogs aggressiveness barking and pulling man! He was overpowered but he got reigns as I screamed in horror feeling the worst with them coming within 1 feet of us; visitors be careful and alert on your walks! And pet owners mind your pets and keep them leashed and restrained. There are laws against walking larger dogs at once! Think twice next time! This happened at 7:39am at portage near north bridge...

Decent trail, close to home. My biggest complaint about this trail is the obvious lack of maintenance of the natural landscape. Who is responsible for spraying & fertilizing the trees? Some kind of disease has swept thru this little historical park. I’ve been coming here for years & can say I’ve watched the trees in this tiny forest dying at an alarming rate. There are homeless people who camp out & often live here. I’ve seen the cops patrol this little forest, but the punks manage to spray gang signs on trees & structures. Sux but won’t stop me from...

They've definitely improved the area! The pavilion is a nice addition and now there's a porta-potty. The trail has been extended so it's a complete circle now, but rough terrain at times. This was spring time, so not a lot of growth. I worry that the summer will make it harder to navigate the trail as its narrow in most spots and shrub growth will get in the way. Overall nice place to walk, bike or jog, picnic with friends and family. I do wish there was a marker to tell you how long it is..maybe...