Many hiking trails throughout Illinois lead to places of unexpected beauty. From scenic overlooks to canyons and otherworldly rock formations, to vast stretches of prairie land, rivers, and waterfalls, the varied landscape of Illinois is exciting to explore. If you’re in the mood for an adventure through the forest where you’ll happen upon a small lake tucked away in the trees, then the Beverly Lake Forest Preserve Trail is what you’re looking for.

Beverly Lake Forest Preserve is a gorgeous part of the larger 4,000-acre Spring Lake Preserve in Barrington, Illinois, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Chicago.

Vanessa Ysais/Alltrails

This preserve is perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, and, in the winter, cross-country skiing. You’ll enjoy the variety in topography as you hike through prairie, woodland, up and down rolling hills, and to the lake.

Jim Petykowski/AllTrails

The Beverly Lake Forest Preserve Trail is a 2.4-mile loop with 111 feet of elevation gain overall. The trail experiences moderate traffic at times, but you may end up having it mostly to yourself depending on when you go.

User User/AllTrails

While portions of the trail are dirt, other parts are grass. Along the way, keep your eye out for the variety of wildlife and birds that call this preserve home.

Greg Piotrowski/AllTrails

Surrounded by trees, Beverly Lake is a 16-acre body of water with a maximum depth of 7.2 feet. It’s a lovely little oasis where you’ll want to spend as much time as possible.

Paul Gurnig/AllTrails

Fishing is allowed and the lake is stocked with a variety of species including yellow bass, sunfish, perch, and northern pike, just to name a few.

Eric Qiu/AllTrails

Spend some time reconnecting with nature at the idyllic Beverly Lake Forest Preserve oasis!

Jim Petykowski/AllTrails

Would you want to hike to this oasis of a lake at Beverly Lake Forest Preserve? For more information about and to see what other hikers have to say about the trail, visit AllTrails.

Vanessa Ysais/Alltrails

Jim Petykowski/AllTrails

User User/AllTrails

Greg Piotrowski/AllTrails

Paul Gurnig/AllTrails

Eric Qiu/AllTrails

For other hidden lakes around Illinois, check out this post!

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Address: Beverly Lake Trail, Barrington Township, IL, USA