Lake Katherine Nature Center
Lake Katherine Nature Center
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
157 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
28
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
brmusicman
Chicago, IL3,205 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Attended a wedding at this nature center and spent some time enjoying the trails. Quite a beautiful spot! Lake is pretty, trails were well-maintained, fall foliage was colorful. Good refugee in the suburbs.
Written 18 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin A
Park City, IL1,283 contributions
Oct 2022
I went the first time and I liked it and it's like a cross between Independence Grove and Chicago Botanic Garden. The waterfall there is nice and the canal overlook was good.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ro D
Oak Lawn, IL5 contributions
Mar 2022
We love Lake Katherine! I have been visitng this lake since my undergrad college days, and now return with my family of 4! We enjoy the wildlife (birds and butterflies) as well as just the walking path and waterfall! This is a perfect place to take a breath away from the daily hustle and bustle. Hope people who visit continue to keep it clean.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldwideRover007
United States2,803 contributions
Oct 2021
This is a free attraction. Its wonderful for walks, photos and dogs are welcome. There is a lovely herb garden, a waterfall, area to rent canoes and kayaks. Parking is free and you can walk around the entire lake. A great place to teach children about nature.
Written 25 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jotum
Knoxville, TN1,544 contributions
Nov 2021
This is a gem of a location. It has a beautiful lake with swans and a well maintained walking trail which goes all the way around it. There are memorial benches liberally positioned around the walking trail to rest or just to go enjoy the scenery. It also has a facility which can be rented out for events.
Written 7 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy B
Indianapolis, IN83 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Wonderful place to relax, get a quick walk, or exercise (run/bike). A lot of nature to see. Gorgeous swans! Plenty of parking.
Written 14 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lydia W
1 contribution
Aug 2020
Having bathrooms. How can you go for a nature walk, if you have to go the bathroom? How can you have a picnic without bathrooms? Too many people and nowhere to go. I would rather go the forest preserve at least the people are more spread out, but wait they have no bathrooms either. This COV-19 is getting ridiculous.
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Previa1994
Chicago, IL6,377 contributions
Aug 2020
Visited Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights the first weekend of August. It appears to be a very popular park. No admission fee is required, and no parking fees either. The park includes woodlands, prairie, wetlands, gardens and a large manmade lake with a pumped waterfall. The waterfall serves in aerating the water. The waterfall is in stages and has a trail by its side; the trail is well shaded by trees. The lake is the centerpiece of the park, and a mile long wood chip covered walking trail surrounds the lake. The trees on the southside of the trail are labeled. The lake edges are vegetated with a variety of flowering plants and the whole scenery is lovely. When we visited in July, kayak / canoe rentals were in heavy use on the lake. On the east side of the park is the Buzz N’ Bloom Prairie comprising of a variety of prairie plants including compass plant (flowers rotate to face the sun) as well as a variety of birds and insects. The parking lot also serves as a trailhead for the Cal-Sag Trail.
Could not visit the Nature center which was closed due to the pandemic, but saw a wedding group taking pictures with the beautiful lake in the background. Lake Katherine is a wonderful place for one and all. Do not miss viewing the Worth Falls after a short walk from the Buzz N’ Bloom Prairie on the Cal-Sag Trail.
Could not visit the Nature center which was closed due to the pandemic, but saw a wedding group taking pictures with the beautiful lake in the background. Lake Katherine is a wonderful place for one and all. Do not miss viewing the Worth Falls after a short walk from the Buzz N’ Bloom Prairie on the Cal-Sag Trail.
Written 5 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gayle M
Chicago, IL253 contributions
Mar 2020
Nature Center offers classes and exhibits, but the walk around the man-made lake is perfect for a relaxing afternoon walk with views of Kankakee Rive, sculptures and fact-filled signs for all ages.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pickybuyer
Tinley Park, IL25 contributions
Oct 2019
lake Katherine nature center offers classes for all ages !!! and going for nature walks there is always a pleasure especially in autumn youcan actually eye witness thetrees turning gorgeous autmnal colors !!! unlike if your children or grandchildrenare stuckup in a classroom all day long!! take them to lake Katherine right now before the leaves have fallen off the tree forthis autumn !!! picky buyer
Written 13 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dianethegardener
Plato Center IL4 contributions
Are picnics allowed (2 people) and, if so, are there picnic tables available or designated eating areas?
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Claim your listingLAKE KATHERINE NATURE CENTER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Katherine Nature Center
- Hotels near Lake Katherine Nature Center:
- (13.45 km) Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Burr Ridge
- (12.76 km) Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge
- (11.37 km) DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Midway Airport
- (4.67 km) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago - Alsip
- (11.42 km) Hyatt Place Chicago/Midway Airport
- Restaurants near Lake Katherine Nature Center:
- (0.16 km) Albasha
- (0.18 km) Starbucks
- (0.21 km) Tuay Thai
- (0.22 km) Hunan Inn
- (0.27 km) Jullianni's Pizza