Nature Preserve Busse Forest

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Located in Cook County, Illinois, Busse Forest is a nature preserve that spans over 3,700 acres and is home to a variety of plant and animal species.


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Summary

There are several good reasons to visit the preserve, including its extensive trail system, numerous recreational opportunities, and diverse array of wildlife.

Some of the points of interest to see at Busse Forest include the Ned Brown Preserve, which boasts a lake for boating and fishing, as well as a visitor center with educational exhibits and nature programming. The preserve also features several picnic areas, playgrounds, and a golf course.

Interesting facts about Busse Forest include its history as a former dairy farm, which was converted into a forest preserve in the 1970s. The preserve is also home to several rare and endangered species, including the Blanding's turtle and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

The best time of year to visit Busse Forest depends on the visitor's interests. Spring is a great time to see the wildflowers in bloom, while summer offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Fall is a popular time to visit for leaf peeping, and winter offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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