THE CONCERT SERIES FOR 2021JUST CONCLUDED TONIGHT 8/3/21. FROM THE BEATLES to SANTANA. Dont conclude so early in the season. We love the series. Keep up the good work. What an inspired setting.

Concert in the park! It was packedFun with great music!$10 per vehicle. Very organized and people are having a great time.

This is one of my favorite places to walk. Everyone around the park are very friendly. People wave and say hi and are very helpful if they think you may be in trouble. I had and issue with my bike once and 20+ people stopped to see if they could help. Its free for Lake County residents and I think about $5 for non- residents. Since the pandemic they have not been collecting fees. Its been free for everyone for awhile. I am not sure if this will change soon or continue to be free.

Beautiful space, wonderful trails and woods to explore. Beautiful Lake that when you walk up to the shore schools of little fish come right up to you expecting you to feed them !Really cute !

Pretty and large reserve! Must have proof of Lake County residency to get in (at least in COVID times). Attractions include Beer garden and rental for bikes, Paddle boat, small fishing boat, and kayaks.

Excellent place for family outings.Entrance is free for Lake county residents.

Great place to go for a nice bike ride around the lake. Love the new beer garden, I just wish they had summer shandy. I later found out the other food window serves summer shandy.

Very nice, beautiful place to enjoy nature and relax.

One of the best Forest preserves we have visited. It is vast and we couldn’t even explore all of it. Entry is free for Lake County residents. We took a short walk crossing the bridge next to the North Bay Pavillion parking lot. We also took the short trail around North Bay. There’re fishing Piers and a boat house and marina which we wish to visit the next time around.

Wow, what a fantastic place for walking, running, biking and boating. Boat rentals are available, incuding, row, kayak, paddle boats and paddle boards.

Awesome forest preserve! $6 to get in m-th and $12 for weekends, free for Lake County residents. Has a few trails going around a small lake system a nice overlook/picnic area. The entire preserve has amazing views. There is a beautiful garden and beer garden on one side with a beach.

This review is for the Des Plaines River Access Canoe/Kayak Launch. It is located at 42°1853.9N 87°5725.6W or 42.314962, -87.957113. It is on the west side of the River, south of bike bridge and east of the North Bay Pavilion. There is a little parking lot. The access is wide but its a decline to the water however groomed and no need to bushwhack to the river. There is a sign near it. I just forget to take pictures.

Loved it!!! Beautiful scenery like a mini vacation 😍

This place was absolutely stunning. My family and I took a tram tour and it was an experience I wont soon forget. I highly recommend visiting.

A great family park and Forest Preserve! Miles of trails for hiking, biking, running, and walking. Tons of beautiful nature sights! Great childrens park at the cove, next to the beach, fenced in and next to bathrooms. Free admission for Lake County IL residents, small fee for others. Beach is no longer open to the public, its been turned into a beer garden.

This place is very peaceful and beautiful.

It is surprised good. It is very large park with well maintained trails and you can ride a bicycle . All facilities are closed, like toilets, cafe. Be prepared.

Such a beautiful place, bad that my dog had to stay at home . dogs not alow. But I understand cause some people never pick up after the dogs

A wonderful resource, escape and place to play, celebrate and in summer the Tuesday night concerts are fantastic 👌

This is a beautiful place to ride a bike or take a walk. There are playgrounds for the kiddos, and plenty of secluded benches overlooking the lake for those who are looking for a little peace and quiet. The paths are very clean and well maintained. You can fish as well, but catch and release only.

Great outdoor space. Trails and scenic views await!

Very expensive forest preserve. Modern utilities and restrooms. Great spot for hiking and fishing. Good place to take your kids. Perfect spot for a picnic.

Wonderful place to take the family and get away for a while. The scenery is beautiful. They have so many things you can do. We love going for bike rides or renting a pontoon boat and having a family picnic.

I love everything about Independence Grove and feel so lucky to have such an amazing free park to use. Huge supporter!BUT tonight when I visited, the person at the entrance who was checking IDs said “we close at 8:30 tonight”. Then, at 8:15 the very aggressive & kinda scary police officer was driving around yelling “we’re CLOSED, leave NOW or get a ticket” at everyone. At least agree on the same time if you’re going to be so mean about it! Yikes.

Great place to stop on a bike ride or as a destination. There is a beer garden, a childrens play area, picnic spots, walking and cycling trails, pavilions and water activities. Really nice summer spot

Beautiful and serene. Very clean paths and would be great for a bike ride as many do. Look forward to returning.

How lucky we are, to have this beautiful place so close to home.

A good place for a walk and a sunset.

Very nice trails and facilities.

Very beautiful park & forest preserve, to spend quality time with friends and family. Also great settings for photoshoot and workout( walking, jogging and biking)Multiple waterbodies are connected via trails and walkways. There is a small beach area for swimming, which is guarded by life guards during summer. There is entry fee for people outside lake county. ( but this time of the year, the park is open to all, with no entry fee)Crystal clear water is another highlight.Absolutely enjoyed the place. Watching Sunset from Independence Grove was absolutely delightful.

Nice and clean place to walk, bike, have a family picnic. Open for all right now with no entrance fee. Enjoy while weather permits!

Really nice park. Well maintained loop (even in winter). Concessions are good.

Lucky enough to live close to this gem! Great open spaces and designed to replicate ecosystems native to the Midwest. Miles of trails to explore by foot or by bike. In season, without the pandemic, they offer kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddleboats, and bicycles for reasonable rental fees. The staff are always friendly, though it would be nice to see people of different backgrounds employed :)

Beautiful area. Lots of walking paths as well as nature trails. Several bodies of water for fishing, swimming, paddle boat and kayak/canoe rentals. Pavilion rentals, group and party areas. Surrounded by nice apartments and homes. Pet friendly.

Weve visited here twice. Once bicycling and yesterday we walked the lower trail closest to the lake. The pavilions arent open yet so there are no bathrooms, etc. But catch and release fishing is allowed. The DesPlaines River Trail connects with the walking paths so you can get there from the north or south by car or riding/walking the DRT. Good amount of parking but because of the size of this preserve your best bet is going early on weekends. Beautiful landscaping, room for everyone. Pavilion rentals as well as small day sailing boats when things open up. Beautiful trees! Fall color will be a treat. Of all the Lake County Forest Preserves weve visited, this one is by far the most impressive. Not knocking the others, at all, but this one must be the crown jewel!

Lovely venue!

Great outdoor concert venue. We enjoy seeing the concerts in the park! Especially Adam Ezra

This park is amazing. The landscaping is so natural and the paths are emaculant. I love walking and running around the lake.

Two major things to know are that no dogs allowed (go to the independence grove dog park instead with your pup!) and lake county residents get in free (there is a cost for non-residents). There are boat and bike rentals, paved trails, and a biergarden. What a wonderful place! Concerts in the park happen here too (admission fee applies)

Absolutely fantastic... sorry it took me so long to visit. Love that they have a beer garden. I think over FP could learn from this.. need to generate funds to support trails. This is the funding model.

Peaceful and Clean. Love it.

Real nice place for a family outing. Good facilities from a cafe to picnic spots and decent public restrooms.

Beautiful Forest preserve with lots of walking trails and shelters. Ample parking space. This has a small beach. You can do boating here. The shelters can be rented for any events. It has a superb kids park too.

Love this place! We have family gatherings here and love the clean picnic areas as well as boating options. A lot of space and parking can always be found. Such a beautiful place with a lot to do. You can spend a whole day here enjoying some relaxing family time.

Independence Grove is a jem. A former strip mine that has been converted into a lake, marina, walking/running/biking trails. Beautiful senery, summer concerts on Tuesdays and I believe a beer garden too. This is an example of a good investment of tax money spent for everyones enjoyment. I should come here more often!

Today, I tried to show a friend I dependence Grove. He just wanted to see the lake, where the bathroom facilities were located, and parking lots. We weren’t allowed to pass the gate without paying a entrance fee of 6 dollars . I mean really. The amount of money Independence lost on Marine rental on a weekend and future visits by this none Resident outweighed a 3 minute ride thru for him to be comfortable with the area

I absolutely love this place. Several trails to walk out ride on. The scenery is amazing and there is a bunch of wildlife to observe as well. I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a picnic or some outdoor recreation.

Great place to walk around. You can even have a picnic lunch.

Great place for fun, relaxation and fishing. You can rent bikes, boats theres a Cafe for food, a beer garden, beach area with fire pits ... too much to list! Wonderful place

This place has so much to offer and is well-kept. Great place for a walk or family picnic.

Invigorating.

Nice place. Great cycling trail. Nice picnic spot

Nice park with a huge lake in the middle and a well maintained trail that goes all the way around. I even saw a beaver swimming in the lake! Negative is that it seems they charge for entrance ($5/$6 depending on whether or not youre a Lake County resident). As of today, there was no one in the booth charging, but I asked around and it seems like during the summer months they do charge cars coming in.

Great fishing, clear water, helpful staff. Fish the deep drop offs!

This is a great place to hang out with family and friends, very peaceful 😊 a lot of fun, it has a beach ⛱ a beautiful areas for fishing from the shore or a boat 🚢Your can 🚶‍♂️, 🏃‍♂️ride a bicycle 🚲 or 🏂

It is the perfect spot for summers to bring friends and family. Perfect for fishing.... liked this place a lot.. highly recommended to visit

Great place during concert time! Lovely outdoor bar and outdoor places to eat, drink and be merry in safe and lovely place!

A nice big park with good nature. Plenty of cool birds when I went. Seemed like good trails, though I stayed in a small part of the park for wedding photos. Keep in mind, you have to pay for parking unless you live in Lake county, $12 per vehicle on weekend/holidays, $6 otherwise.

Its a really great place to go for a walk. While I havent explored all, or really much, of it, I can still say theres a lot to do and many great adventures to be had. Even though Ive only walked there, I plan on going on the boats, having fun at the beach, going on a picnic, or maybe even fishing. Cant wait to come here again!

Beautiful views of the lake. Beer garden and weekly concerts. Great walking/biking path around the lake. Perfect place to take the family.

Enjoyed the afternoon with my family

Beautiful preserve. Wonderful place for views, biking, boating, and so many other outdoor activities.

A truly beautiful place. Tons of trails for runners/walkers. Lots of place to do activities from cycling, biking, or just hiking.Their trails have both paved and gravel /dirt trails.If you are looking to connect with the nature. This is definitely a great spot.

Easy access to trail. Beautiful scenery. You loop around the lakes. Some of it is paved and its an easy hike. You can bike the trail here as well.

Perfect small park for family picnic. They have nice beach, marina for paddle or trolling motor boats and playground. Reasonably priced for boat and bike rentals. My boys love to go there to fish on a boat! For Lake county residents, parking is also free!

Good place for family outing. Wish water was little clear

Wonderful paved paths, and crushed limestone. Easy access to DesPlaines river trail. Nice beach and great rental options on bikes/canoes/paddle boats/etc. Only negative is it can get a little pricey especially if you don’t live in Lake Co.

Still the Jewel of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Found a nice shady spot for a great picnic.

Wow! This place is outstanding! Nature is so beautiful, and you can have a pleasant picnic on a sunny day. The river is great to look at and to relax. (You cant swim there, however) I love it! Hopefully Ill go there again to relax.

Very nice place for spending time with kids and family.

Has a great time with the entire family, a perfect place for an afternoon adventure.

Fantastic destination to relax, enjoy the beautiful views, get some exercise and feel like you are somewhere special.

Beautiful place to spend a day of relaxing, walking, biking & picnic.

Very well layer out area that used to be a deep quary is now a lake! And walking are

After coming here for the past few months I can say this is a great place to go for biking/walking/running. There are numerous paths that span for a few miles and tons of places to picnic or BBQ. Tuesdays during the summer months they hold concerts with mandatory pay to park so plan to pay if you do show up. At the northern parking lot there is a path to the Des Plaines River Trail and a bridge to a smaller lake west of the main park. Fishing is good here but dont expect lunker size bass but youll probably catch something. Species of fish include catfish, carp, northern pike, largemouth bass, pan fish, and apparently muskie can be had here.

Very nice place for a stroll or jog or just relax but no hammocks allowed though

Great the kids loved it Nice views nice environment very chill

Great Place To Go For A Midday Walk.

Excellent destination. Many trails to walk as well as rentable water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boating and more. Reccomend to anyone looking to spend a fun day outdoors or capture some wonderful pictures.

The trial around the lake is not to be missed. Evening boats will be fun.

I was at Independence Grove for a wedding its an absolutely beautiful Forest Preserve. The building thatt the reception was held in was gorgeous everything went very smoothly and the wonderful wedding planner made the day go smoothly and calmed the bride down many times. the next time Im in town I plan to go back and just enjoy all of the amenities like the swimming areas the fishing pond and all the trails.

Great place for picnics. Free entrance for Lake County residents.

Very beautiful park

Really vast forest preserve! Perfect place to get active or just relax. Definitely will go back again!

Its a beautiful park, there was a six dollar entry fee but worth every dollar.

Gorgeous place; Gorgeous day!

Beautiful and well maintained forest preserve with great walking & biking trails. Summer kayak and canoe rentals are very fun!

Wonderful place to spend a day with your family. Very clean and so much to do, beach, boating, children’s playground, beer garden etc.

Spend a great time with the family celebrating my sons 16th bday

Wonderful all year. Walking, biking, picnic groves, concerts, beach and playground, dog park...they didnt miss a bet.. Beautiful place, free to Lake Co. residents.

Very nice trails..very impressed with the park

Lovely place for family fun time.... Kids had a great time and the walk around the lake with the fall colors was unbelievable!!!

Beer Garden is a great place to chill and watch the sunset.

One of the most beautiful places. All year round. Constant change of scenery. Doesnt get any better than this!

Great hiking, rentals for paddle boats, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boats, bikes up to quad bikes. Huge kids park, beach w grill rentals. Food stand. Bike and walking paths. 10.00 to park for non residents cheaper for lake county residents. Beautiful and huge.

An awesome place for peace! I just visited this for the first time, i felt like i just dont wanna move from here ! It felt sooo goood !!🔥❤💯 A WORTHY PLACE TO GET SOME CHANGE FROM YOUR NORMAL ROUTINE!!❤🙏🏻💯😉

Sweet park with lots of family experiences. Great launch site for bike rides north and south.

We really liked it but the playground fence was locked to go down the slide

One of the best places around to enjoy a beautiful day! Bring your bike and fishing poles.

A lot of picnic spots to hang out and eat and perfect for walking and/or biking since there is an inner loop just for walking and an outer loop just for biking.