Bonne Brae Park
Rate this placeNearby: Runyon Preserve Woodlands Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bonne Brae Park is a popular attraction located in the state of Illinois.
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Summary
The park features a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking. Visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery and natural landscapes throughout the park.
One of the main attractions of Bonne Brae Park is its extensive trail system, which offers miles of scenic hiking and biking routes. The park also features several picnic areas and playgrounds, making it a great location for families to spend a day outdoors.
Another point of interest within the park is the historic Bonne Brae Estate, which dates back to the early 1900s. The estate features a beautiful mansion and gardens, as well as a small museum that showcases the history of the property.
Other interesting facts about Bonne Brae Park include its designation as a wildlife sanctuary, which makes it a great location for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of plant species, including several rare and endangered plants.
The best time of year to visit Bonne Brae Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for winter recreation, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Bonne Brae Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and recreational opportunities 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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