Baker Woods Park
Rate this placeNearby: Scovill Gardens Park Faries Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Baker Woods Park is a nature preserve located in the state of Illinois, covering an area of approximately 443 acres.
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Summary
The park is a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers, and birdwatchers. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including its diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and tranquil atmosphere.
The park features several points of interest, including a 100-acre wetland, a forested area, and a prairie. The wetland is home to numerous bird species such as sandhill cranes, great blue herons, and wood ducks. Visitors can also spot other wildlife such as beavers, otters, and deer. The forested area is a favorite among hikers, with several trails leading through the woods. The prairie is home to a variety of wildflowers, and visitors can enjoy the stunning views of the landscape.
Interesting facts about Baker Woods Park include that it is named after Warren Baker, a local conservationist who played a key role in preserving the area. The park also features a historic oak tree, estimated to be over 400 years old. In addition, it was designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1998, ensuring its protection for future generations.
The best time of year to visit Baker Woods Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the wildlife is most active. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy different experiences throughout the seasons.
Overall, Baker Woods Park is a beautiful and peaceful nature preserve that offers visitors an opportunity to connect with nature and experience the diverse wildlife of Illinois.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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|---|---|---|
ski club campground
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Faries Park
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Spitler Group Camp
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