Riverhill Forest Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Diversity Park Gowe Memorial Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Riverhill Forest Preserve is a 200-acre forest preserve located in Lake County, Illinois.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The preserve is part of the Lake County Forest Preserves system and features a variety of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, and prairies.
There are many good reasons to visit Riverhill Forest Preserve, including hiking, bird watching, and fishing. The preserve has several miles of hiking trails, including a loop trail that takes visitors through a restored prairie and wetland. Bird watchers will appreciate the variety of species that can be seen at the preserve, including warblers, finches, and woodpeckers. Fishing is also popular at the preserve, as it is home to several species of fish, including bass and bluegill.
Some specific points of interest to see at Riverhill Forest Preserve include the butterfly garden, the wetland boardwalk, and the observation deck. The butterfly garden is a popular spot for visitors to observe a variety of butterfly species. The wetland boardwalk allows visitors to get up close and personal with the preserve's wetland habitat. The observation deck offers panoramic views of the preserve and is a great spot for bird watching.
One interesting fact about Riverhill Forest Preserve is that it was once the site of a golf course. In the 1990s, the property was acquired by the Lake County Forest Preserves and restored to its natural state.
The best time of year to visit Riverhill Forest Preserve is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the preserve is open year-round and offers different attractions depending on the season. In the summer, visitors can enjoy fishing and picnicking, while winter visitors can go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Weather Forecast
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
Diversity Park
Gowe Memorial Park
O Plaine Community Park
Robert H Allen Park
Hunt Club Park Community Center
Sand Lake
Sterling Lake
Banana Lake