Out Our Front Door

Trip highlights

Constantly shifting landscape featuring ice volcanoes, quicksand and ancient ridge-and-swale formations.
Ride onto the youngest land in Illinois
Last remaining stretch of natural Lake Michigan shoreline in Illinois—untouched by major coastal engineering
Discover the Dead River and glimpse what the region looked like before European settlement.
Camp right on the beach
Beginner-friendly, relatively easy ride out of the city
650+ plant species, including rare wildflowers
Prickly pear cactus, grasses, sedges, and marshes throughout

What you'll discover

This is not an out and back route, but a true bike loop consisting of the bicycle paths along the shores of Lake Michigan and into the DesPlaines River Valley. You'll roll through the Chicago's North Shore communities, overnight at Illinois Beach State Park, round back through the Forest Preserves of the Lake & Cook Counties and back into the City Metropolis Chicago. All in one weekend trip

It is one of the richest, most biologically diverse areas in the state and is considered to be Illinois’ “Crown Jewel”. Every month there is different robust show of flowers and colors so even upon a return visit it will feel like a new park. That's one of the beauties of a healthy and diverse ecosystem.

Things to do and see

Visit the Nature Center: Illinois State Beach Park has a Nature Center in the southern unit located at the start of the hiking trail head, which contains exhibits, guides, restrooms, and classroom space.

Hiking: The southern unit hosts five miles of hiking and nature trails, including Dunes Trail and Dead River Trail. The northern unit contains the 1.8-mile Camp Logan Trail and bike paths that wind in and out .

Baháʼí Temple: The Baháʼí House of Worship (or Bahá'í Temple) is a temple in Wilmette, Illinois. One of ten dedicated temples of the Bahá'í Faith, it is the oldest surviving Bahá'í House of Worship in the world.

Evanston Beach Light House: Built on the shores of Lake Michigan by the United States Government in 1873 after several shipwrecks demonstrated its need. Tours to the top.
North Point Marina: The Tropics Yacht Bar located in the North unit is a great ride from camp to catch a harbor style drink, lunch, play some darts or a game of pool.

Gold Pyramid House: A six-story-tall, 17,000-square-foot Gold Pyramid House in Wadsworth, Illinois of “Power, Gold, Mystery, Exotic, and Impressive.” available for group tours on select weekends

Chicago Botanic Garden: The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre living plant museum situated on nine islands in the Cook County Forest Preserves. It features 27 display gardens in four natural habitats.

Fort Sheridan: Originally established as a United States Army Post now turned into a neighborhood and forest preserves. Its bizarre history and quality architecture should not be missed.

Camping and lodging

Camping: Reserve America
Plush Hotel on the Beach: Illinois Beach Hotel

You can camp at the State Park, where they have campsites near the beach and in the woods, or you can stay in a comforting hotel bed.

Illinois Beach State Park Campground: The campground in the southern unit provides 241 Class A Premium sites with electricity, access to showers and sanitary facilities. Comes with picnic table and a fire pit with grill top. Water is available via ground spouts.

Illinois Beach Resort: It is the only hotel in the State of Illinois located directly on the shores of Lake Michigan. The Resort offers 96 total rooms, which feature a full bath, TV, telephone and a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan.

Dinners and Drinks can be had at the hotel no matter your lodging preference. If you are camping, 5 bucks gets you the Jacuzzi in the hotel if you want to relax your body after the ride. Firewood and ice are sold at the campground.

Map of Park

Nearby train stations

Metra Union Pacific Line to the State Park

The Metra's Union Pacific North line to Kenosha has a small commuter railroad station stop outside the state park, located in Zion, Illinois. The train station is roughly a 10 minute bike ride to the campground.

Zion Train Station to Ogilive Transportation Center Station- $10.00 Train runs at select times on the weekends. 1 hour 30 minutes to Chicago.

Saturday departures from Zion- 06:02am | 07:02am | 08:47am | 07:02pm | 10:31pm.
Sunday departures from Zion- 7:02am | 8:47am | 7:02pm

Stops at- Kenosha, Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Waukegan, North Chicago, Great Lakes, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Fort Sheridan, Highwood, Highland Park, Ravinia, Ravinia Park, Braeside, Glencoe, Hubbard Woods, Winnetka, Indian Hill, Kenilworth, Wilmette, Evanston Central Street, Evanston Main Street, Rogers Park, Ravenswood, Clybourn, Ogilvie Transportation Center

See Full metra Train maps and schedule

‍

Upon your visit

Take care to ensure whatever you bring in is taken out. Be sure to stay on the established trails to not disturb this fragile ecosystem and cause a blowout. Be a part of legacy created by conservationists and protect this crown jewel. Take care and preserve this public treasure for future generations as if you are the owner.

Why? Because you are.