Chicago & Cook County
Parks in Chicago
Discover the best parks, beaches, trails, gardens, and outdoor recreation throughout Chicago and Cook County.
From the lakefront beauty of Lincoln Park and Grant Park to Millennium Park, Jackson Park, and the scenic trails of the Cook County Forest Preserves, Chicago offers outstanding parks, beaches, walking trails, gardens, and outdoor spaces.
Explore Chicago ParksEnjoy the Outdoors in Chicago
Chicago is home to a wide variety of parks that give residents and visitors plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are looking for a scenic place to walk along the lakefront, a beach on Lake Michigan, a forest preserve trail, sports facilities, or a peaceful green space to relax, Chicago and Cook County have parks for many different lifestyles and every season.
Popular Parks in Chicago
Explore some of Chicago and Cook County's best-known parks and outdoor recreation areas.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park in downtown Chicago is a world-famous urban park known for Cloud Gate (The Bean), the Crown Fountain, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and the Lurie Garden.
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Grant Park
Grant Park is a large lakefront park in downtown Chicago, known as Chicago's front yard, home to Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
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Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a large lakefront park on Chicago's North Side, home to the free Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, North Avenue Beach, and miles of lakefront trails.
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Jackson Park
Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side is a historic lakefront park that hosted the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and is home to the Museum of Science and Industry.
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Maggie Daley Park
Maggie Daley Park in downtown Chicago is a modern park known for its skating ribbon, climbing walls, play garden, and lakefront location next to Millennium Park.
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Burnham Park
Burnham Park is a lakefront park on Chicago's South Side, designed by Daniel Burnham, offering beaches, the lakefront trail, and access to the Museum Campus and Soldier Field.
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Humboldt Park
Humboldt Park on Chicago's West Side is a large historic park with a lagoon, gardens, a beach, and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.
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Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory on Chicago's West Side is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the country, with tropical, desert, and seasonal gardens.
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Montrose Beach
Montrose Beach on Chicago's North Side is a wide, sandy lakefront beach with a bird sanctuary, dog-friendly area, and stunning views of Lake Michigan.
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North Avenue Beach
North Avenue Beach is one of Chicago's most popular beaches, with a landmark beach house, volleyball courts, and lakefront access in Lincoln Park.
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Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is a scenic waterfront promenade along the Chicago River, offering dining, seating, boat tours, and stunning views of the city's architecture.
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Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail is an 18-mile multiuse trail along Lake Michigan, connecting beaches, parks, and neighborhoods from Hollywood Avenue to 71st Street.
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Northerly Island Park
Northerly Island is a lakefront park on a man-made peninsula, home to the Huntington Bank Pavilion, nature areas, and stunning views of the lakefront and skyline.
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Busse Woods
Busse Woods is a large forest preserve in the northwest suburbs of Cook County, offering trails, a lake for fishing and boating, and wildlife viewing.
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Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe is a 385-acre botanical garden with 27 display gardens, trails, and a lake, one of the most visited public gardens in the country.
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Skokie Lagoons
The Skokie Lagoons is a network of lagoons and trails in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, offering kayaking, fishing, and walking in the north suburbs.
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Washington Park
Washington Park on Chicago's South Side is a historic park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, with a lagoon, gardens, and the DuSable Museum of African American History.
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Douglas Park
Douglas Park on Chicago's West Side is a historic park with a lagoon, gardens, a bird sanctuary, and sports facilities, designed by William Le Baron Jenney.
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Oz Park
Oz Park in the Lincoln Park neighborhood is a themed park with Wizard of Oz sculptures, a playground, and sports facilities.
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Columbus Park
Columbus Park on Chicago's West Side is a National Historic Landmark park designed by Jens Jensen, with a prairie river, golf course, and historic landscape.
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Ping Tom Memorial Park
Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chicago's Chinatown is a riverfront park with gardens, a fieldhouse, and stunning views of the Chicago River and the skyline.
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Palos Trail System
The Palos Trail System in the Forest Preserves of Cook County offers over 50 miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding in the southwest suburbs.
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North Branch Trail
The North Branch Trail is a paved trail in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, running over 20 miles from Chicago to the Chicago Botanic Garden through forest preserves and parks.
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Swallow Cliff Woods
Swallow Cliff Woods in the Forest Preserves of Cook County is known for its historic stairs, trails, and a toboggan slide, offering hiking and winter recreation in the southwest suburbs.
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Olive Park
Olive Park is a small lakefront park near Navy Pier with a beach, stunning views of the skyline, and a peaceful setting away from the crowds.
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Marquette Park
Marquette Park on Chicago's Southwest Side is a large park with a golf course, lagoon, gardens, and the historic Marquette Park fieldhouse.
View Park DetailsGreat Parks for Families
Families in Chicago have plenty of great options for spending time outdoors. Many parks feature beaches, playgrounds, open lawns, shaded picnic areas, walking trails, and recreational facilities that make it easy to spend several hours outside. The free Lincoln Park Zoo and the play garden at Maggie Daley Park are particular favorites.
- Playgrounds and play structures
- Picnic tables and pavilions
- Open lawns for games
- Walking and biking paths
- Shaded areas
- Family-friendly recreation
Walking, Biking & Outdoor Fitness
Chicago's parks and the 18-mile Lakefront Trail make it easy to stay active year-round. Residents use parks for morning walks, jogging, biking, outdoor workouts, and casual recreation along the lakefront and in the forest preserves.
Explore Chicago's Natural Side
Chicago is shaped by its lakefront, parks, and forest preserves. The Lakefront Trail, Lincoln Park, the Cook County Forest Preserves, and the Chicago Botanic Garden provide opportunities to enjoy a quieter side of the region while taking in beautiful scenery along Lake Michigan and in the wooded preserves.
Perfect for walking, wildlife viewing, photography, and simply relaxing outdoors.
Find Parks Near Chicago Neighborhoods & Suburbs
Living near a quality park can make a big difference in everyday life. Parks provide recreation, community gathering spaces, walking opportunities, and easy access to outdoor activities throughout Chicago and Cook County.
Explore Chicago Neighborhoods & SuburbsWhy Parks Matter When Choosing Where to Live
Outdoor Recreation
Easy access to walking, biking, sports, and family activities.
Family Lifestyle
Playgrounds and green spaces give families more options close to home.
Community
Parks often serve as gathering places for events, recreation, and neighborhood activities.
Quality of Life
Access to attractive outdoor spaces adds to the overall appeal of a neighborhood.
Chicago Parks FAQs
Discover More of Chicago
Explore Chicago neighborhoods, suburbs, parks, restaurants, shopping, local businesses, and things to do throughout Chicago and Cook County.