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Lake Forest Open Lands: Skokie River Nature Preserve
Nature preserve · Lake Forest, Illinois
Use caution — flow is well above normal for this date
Use cautionUse caution — flow is well above normal for this date: live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby.
- Live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby.
- Flow is above the 75th percentile for Aug 22 (median 2 ft³/s over 74 years); fast water is the top river-drowning risk.
The Skokie River Nature Preserve is Lake Forest Open Lands’ oldest and largest nature preserve, was essentially completed by the mid-1980s although subsequent parcels have been added to the preserve. It consists of a mix of woodlands, savanna, prairie, and sedge meadows typical of the bottomland areas of the Skokie River valley. Several acres have been restored, but large areas consist of virgin prairie of such rarity that the entire holding is now part of the Illinois Nature Preserve system. The preserve was assembled largely through early land donations. Lake Forest Open Lands has also purchased several key parcels threatened by development, the latest being a 4.5-acre addition to the Shaw Prairie in 1999.
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Use caution — flow is well above normal for this date
Use cautionUse caution — flow is well above normal for this date: live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby.
- Live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby. — USGS gauge 05535000, as of Aug 22, 1:40 AM gauge-local time
- Flow is above the 75th percentile for Aug 22 (median 2 ft³/s over 74 years); fast water is the top river-drowning risk. — USGS daily streamflow statistics, as of Aug 22, 1:40 AM gauge-local time
Flow is high for this date — above the 75th percentile for Aug 22 (median 2 ft³/s over 74 years).
No official beach-advisory feed for Illinois yet — follow posted signs and local guidance.
Live, provisional data from USGS gauge SKOKIE RIVER AT LAKE FOREST, IL (1.9 mi away), as of Aug 22, 1:40 AM gauge-local time.
Weather at Lake Forest Open Lands: Skokie River Nature Preserve
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Lake Forest Open Lands: Skokie River Nature Preserve?
- Lake Forest Open Lands: Skokie River Nature Preserve is a nature preserve in Lake Forest, Illinois.
- Can you swim at Lake Forest Open Lands: Skokie River Nature Preserve?
- Use caution — flow is well above normal for this date: live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby. Checked August 22, 2026.
- How is Lake Forest Open Lands: Skokie River Nature Preserve rated?
- Lake Forest Open Lands: Skokie River Nature Preserve in Lake Forest, Illinois has an average visitor rating of 4.8 out of 5, based on 67 reviews.
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Best Times to Visit
- ›Weekday mornings (8–10 AM) are typically less crowded
- ›Check the forecast 2–3 days ahead for best planning
- ›Avoid holiday weekends for a quieter experience
Location & Contact
Skokie Hwy, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Phone
+1 847-234-3880Popular Times
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