Deer Grove Forest Preserve, Palatine

This review is for Deer Grove West! Entrance off Quentin road, just north of Dundee and south of Lake Cook Road. I've posted other season photos on Google reviews previously. Deer Grove West is beautiful any time of the year. Lovely wooded trails that aren't too crowded and plenty of off-the-trail adventures waiting. There aren't any playgrounds here but the hikes will tire out your kids just fine. They've closed off one the parking lots and in the winter both southern path lots are closed which is a bummer because these lead to some of the better hiking trails we enjoy. The old stone dam creates a fun waterfall which is fantastic in spring and summer when you get to see a lot of turtles, frogs, etc. In fall it makes a lovely photo spot and in winter the icy waterfall is really amazing. Deer Grove West is not as good for biking as the east side unless you're doing fat tire or mountain biking. To me that makes it preferable because I don't have to fear for my kids getting run over while they might be watching caterpillars and wandering side to side on the paths. There are several park pavilions for rent. In the wintertime there are 2 sledding hills, be careful however because oftentimes when snow is lite they are closed due to wear or ice that makes them pretty treacherous (albeit fun and fast they end in hay bales to prevent you from sliding onto the frozen lake and those turn into essentially frozen hay ice blocks that HURT when you impact). Note winter 2022 - Restoration work is currently underway near the farthest back parking lot (north central) but there are ways to get around that section easily on other trails.

When the weather conditions stay conducive during autumn and fall foliage is at its peak, Deer Grove (east side specifically) has absolutely beautiful fall colors, and excellent spot for fall photography. Plenty of parking, several hiking trails and some picnic groves. All in all a very beautiful forest preserve.