Van Patten Woods Welcome To Van Patten Woods • Trails • Permits For your safety and enjoyment, and to with Sterling Lake Trail bisects Van Patten Woods and is Permits are required for horseback riding, picnic The 991-acre Forest Preserve is one of the premier protect wildlife here, please: open to horses, bicycles, snowmobiles shelters, gatherings of 25 or more people, the youth recreation sites in Lake County. A majestic oak forest, 74- • Stay on the trails. and hikers. Its trailhead is at the far campground and the model aircraft field. Permits can acre Sterling Lake and the Des Plaines River provide a Lake County, northern Russell Road entrance. It be purchased at our General Offices, or by phone at • State fishing regulations apply. picturesque backdrop for outdoor recreation activities such • Deposit litter in proper receptacles. as hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, camping, horseback can also be accessed from other 847-367-6640 or online at www.LCFPD.org. • Leave nature as you found it for others to enjoy. riding and flying model aircraft. locations. Currently 31 miles of the trail are open from Russell Road The Natural Scene • Keep dogs leashed and on the trails at all times, and south to Deerfield. pick up after them. For information about off-leash Activities & Facilities The key natural feature here Dog Exercise Areas (permit required), call Each of Sterling Lake’s two is the Des Plaines River and its 847-367-6640 or visit www.LCFPD.org. • Sterling Lake basins are encircled by one-mile adjacent floodplain, which serve • Park in lots only. Loitering in lots is prohibited. Vehicles This beautiful 74-acre lake is gravel trails open to foot traffic, as refuge to many native species left after closing will be towed at owner’s expense. the center of activity here. bicycles and horses. while providing flood control to Lake Van Patten offers a • Snowmobiles must be registered with the State of Illinois Formerly a gravel pit, it On the Preserve’s eastern half are County residents. On higher special field for and are allowed only on the Des Plaines River Trail. received an extensive facelift two more trails: a one-mile loop for ground to the river’s east, you can Cardinals and model aircraft fliers. • No alcohol consumption within 100 feet of parking lots. in the 1990s. Its average depth hikers and cross-country skiers, and relax among native oak woodlands other wildlife make • Wading, swimming, hunting, collecting, off-road is 18 feet, with a maximum of 29 and planted pine groves. To the a two-mile loop for hikers, cross-country skiers, horses and their home in this vehicles, firearms are not permitted. feet. bicycles. west, natural areas have been quiet Forest Preserve. • Camping and fires are allowed by permit only in the restored where the former • Fishing Youth Campground area. Bring your fishing pole • Picnicking gravel quarry had severely altered the land. Walleye, bass and channel and test your angling Picnic tables and grills can be used on a free first-come • Rangers and other staff regularly patrol the area and can offer assistance. For non-emergencies, call catfish are stocked regularly. skills at Sterling Lake. basis by small groups. Preserve History and panfish are 847-549-5200 to speak with a Ranger. Four reservable picnic shelters are available for larger also present. Muskie fingerlings have been stocked, too. Ice Van Patten Woods was Lake County’s first Forest outings. Grills, electricity, drinking water, comfort stations, Lake County Forest Preserves fishing is allowed when ice is at least four inches thick. Preserve, created in 1961 with a 162-acre purchase. In the horseshoe pits and parking are provided. Sports fields are 1970s, the abandoned gravel pit that is now Sterling Lake Our Mission and Commitment of Service to You... • Boat Launch adjacent to each shelter and a playground is nearby. was acquired. Mined from the 1930s through the mid- 1970s, this area was deeply scarred and posed safety To preserve a dynamic and unique system of diverse You can launch your own canoe, kayak or other small • Youth Campground natural and cultural resources, and to develop boat on Sterling Lake. Boat trailers are not permitted, but hazards that were removed during a major restoration that On the Preserve’s north end is a rustic tent youth innovative educational, recreational and cultural Location electric trolling motors are allowed. Launching is free and took place between 1989 and 1993. opportunities of regional value, while exercising campground that can be reserved for organized youth This Preserve is named in honor of David Van Patten, at your own risk. You’ll need required flotation gear and environmental and fiscal responsibility. Van Patten Woods is located in northeast Lake groups of up to 100. The site has a water pump, fire rings, the first President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. your boat must be registered with the State of Illinois. County near Wadsworth. firewood and comfort stations. Sterling Lake is named for Sterling Township, a short-lived • Canoe Launch name that was changed to Newport Township in 1850. The entrance and parking area are located on • Model Airplane Field Bring your own canoe and launch it on the Des Plaines General Offices Route 173, east of Route 41 and west of Green Bay River. The river itself offers an entirely different set of Model aircraft enthusiasts will enjoy a nearby flying field, 2000 North Milwaukee Avenue Road. A horse trailer and trail access parking area Libertyville, Illinois 60048 views and experiences, best explored by canoe. The which includes a windsock, spectator area, comfort is located on the south side of Russell Road east of Phone: 847-367-6640 launch, located on Russell Road, offers shoreline fishing stations, drinking water Route 41. The entrance and parking area for the Fax: 847-367-6649 and parking. If you put in here, the next canoe launch is at and parking. Model Airplane Field and Youth Campground is on E-mail: [email protected] Wadsworth Road, 6.25 miles downstream. • Play Areas the north side of Russell Road east of Route 41. Emergency: call 911 Boat launch is from the first parking area on the A playground and large Stay in touch 24 hours a day by visiting the Lake County Non-emergency public safety issue: west side of the lake. informal sports field are Forest Preserves website at www.LCFPD.org. 847-549-5200 ready for your outing. In Register for a program, reserve a picnic shelter, purchase a Photography: Kim Karpeles winter, come out with Bring your boat and enjoy a day Hours permit, search for an activity, learn about nature and history, Cover illustration courtesy of Illinois Department your ice skates. on the lake, or launch your Reserve one of four shelters for your family outing or of Natural Resources: largemouth bass or download trail maps, fishing maps, and other publications. canoe on the Des Plaines River. special event. 6:30 a.m. to sunset, daily 08/05 5M SEH VP Van PattenW oods with Sterling Lake

Lake County,Illinois

Legend

Restrooms Canoe Launch Des Plaines River Trail Baños Marina de canoas

Drinking Water Fishing Agua potable Pesca Other Trails Otros senderos Shelter Playground Refugio Patio de recreo

Open Areas Picnic Area Telephone Praderas Area campestre Teléfono

Wooded Areas Ranger Station Trailer Parking Bosques Estación de policia Estacionamiento de Water remolques Agua

Help Your Forest Preserves. Please.... • Leash dogs and pick up after them. • Deposit litter in proper receptacles. • Leave nature as you found it for others to enjoy. Thank you!

Common Flicker