In Antioch, recreation ranges from nature preserves with trails and viewpoints to sports facilities, parks, and a summer concert series. Ethel's Woods, Raven Glen, and Pine Dunes each offer their own combinations of trail length, scenery, and amenities. This makes it possible to choose a nature outing based on specific features.
Trails and Natural Landscapes
For trail length, Ethel's Woods lists 1.6 miles of gravel trails, Raven Glen has 6.8 miles of trails in total, and Pine Dunes has 2.8 miles of gravel trails. The figures refer to different measures: Raven Glen’s total trail length is given, while the figures for Ethel's Woods and Pine Dunes are for gravel trails.
Ethel's Woods has four viewpoints, gently rolling terrain, and unobstructed views. The nature preserve is open daily from 6:30 a.m. until sunset; seasonal conditions can affect the trails.
Raven Glen has two fishing piers extending into 33-acre Timber Lake. Check current trail and fishing access conditions before you go.
In addition to gravel trails, Pine Dunes has four boardwalks and three viewpoints. Its landscapes include prairie, savanna, and oak-hickory woodlands, as well as streams, swamps, sedge meadows, temporary spring pools, and other wetland habitats. Seasonal conditions can affect trail use.
All three nature preserves offer opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. When choosing between them, consider their differences beyond these shared activities: Ethel's Woods combines viewpoints with gently rolling terrain, Pine Dunes pairs trails with several habitats and boardwalks, and Raven Glen adds fishing piers on Timber Lake to its trails. You can choose based on whether your priority is views, landscapes, or fishing.
Sports, Events, and Parks
The 78-acre Tim Osmond Sports Complex in Antioch includes football, baseball, softball, and soccer fields, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course. This gives visitors a choice of specific playing fields and disc golf as an alternative to the nature preserve trails.
The William E. Brook Entertainment Center offers an outdoor concert shell, an arboretum, fishing opportunities, and a sledding hill. Its “It's Thursday” summer concert series takes place there every Thursday evening during the summer. Individual performers and dates may change. If you’re planning a concert evening, check the specific dates.
Sequoit Creek Park in downtown Antioch has a splash area, an accessible playground, and two fire pits. The public event pavilion offers seating for nearly 1,000 people; there is also a concession area with restrooms. Park amenities may change, so check current operating details before your visit.
A Connection Between Two Nature Preserves
In Antioch, the Millennium Trail–Route 45 Underpass connects Raven Glen and Ethel's Woods for pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders. If you’re planning to visit both preserves, the underpass provides a direct connection for these user groups.
Discover more destinations: Round Lake, Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, Deer Park, Highland Park, North Chicago, Riverwoods, Bannockburn
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