Park No 520
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Park No 520 is officially known as the Deer Grove Forest Preserve and is located in Cook County, Illinois.
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Summary
This park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The park is famous for its diverse range of flora and fauna and is home to many species of birds, mammals, and insects.
One of the main attractions of the park is the extensive network of hiking and biking trails, which wind through the wooded areas and around the picturesque lakes. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the park's numerous ponds and streams. In the winter months, the park offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
One of the most interesting features of the park is the historic campgrounds, which were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. These rustic cabins offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the park's natural beauty while staying in comfortable, affordable lodgings.
Visitors to the park should also check out the Deer Grove East and West sections, which are home to some of the most breathtaking scenic views in the area. Other points of interest include the Grove Nature Center, which offers educational programs and interactive exhibits on the park's flora and fauna.
The best time to visit Park No 520 is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its best. The park can get crowded during the summer months, so visitors should plan accordingly. Overall, Park No 520 is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty 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.
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