Van Patten Woods was Lake County’s first forest preserve, created in 1961 with a 162-acre purchase. In the 1970s the abandoned gravel pit that is now Sterling Lake was acquired. Mined from the 1930s through the mid-1970s, this area was deeply scarred. Major restoration that took place between 1989 and 1993 resulted in the safe and clean preserve we enjoy today.

The preserve is named in honor of David Van Patten, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves in 1960. The former gravel pit was once known as Vulcan Lake. Following a "name-the-lake" contest, it was renamed Sterling Lake in honor of Sterling Township, the previous name for Newport Township.
lcfpd.org/van-patten-woods

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 170 m

Weather

Today

Saturday 25 October

12°C

5°C

18 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 5.0 km/h

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Lake County, Illinois, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Millennium Trail

Des Plaines River Trail – Half Day Forest Preserve

Nippersink Trail

Middlefork Greenway

Sterling Lake Viewpoint

Leahy Hill

Hook Lake

The Lake at Independence Grove

Third Lake

Lake Andrea

Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve

Central Park

Van Patten Woods

1. Van Patten Woods – Sterling Lake Viewpoint loop from Chestnut Trails

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️