Robinson Woods North
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Robinson Woods North is a nature preserve located in Cook County, Illinois.
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Summary
It covers an area of over 200 acres and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including many species of birds, mammals, and amphibians.
One of the main attractions of Robinson Woods North is its extensive network of hiking trails, which allow visitors to explore the park and enjoy its natural beauty. Some of the most popular trails include the North Branch Trail and the Des Plaines River Trail, both of which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
In addition to its hiking trails, Robinson Woods North also features several points of interest that are worth checking out. These include a historic lodge, which was built in the 1930s and is now used as a meeting space, and the LaBagh Woods Forest Preserve, which is located adjacent to Robinson Woods North and features additional hiking trails and natural areas.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Robinson Woods North is one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the Chicagoland area, and that it was originally purchased by the Cook County Forest Preserve District in the 1920s as part of an effort to preserve the region's natural beauty.
The best time of year to visit Robinson Woods North is during the spring or summer months, when the weather is mild and the park's flora and fauna are at their most active. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities and events throughout the year.
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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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