Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Garden

Activity Overview

An 85 acre park in Palos Heights, Illinois, Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Garden is a beautiful natural area with abundant wildlife. Here you can take kayaks out onto the lake, jog the Gardens or head out on a biking excursions around the park grounds.

Things to Do

• The Nature Center houses a number of exhibits, programs and animals; as such it is the perfect place to start your trip.
• You can hike around the Gardens and the park itself to enjoy the sites. The gardens have a range of plant life while the artificial waterfall is a great spot to head to. There is an Arboretum on the South side of the lake and a Children's Forest located on the West Side.
• From late spring until early October it is possible to rent canoes and kayaks to take out onto the Lake and this could make a great activity to enjoy with slightly older kids.

Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Garden Insider Tips

• If you head out on in a kayak on a hot day then take care, the life jackets have a way of trapping the heat in. Make sure you use a lot of sunscreen as it obviously is not a good idea to sit out in direct sunlight for a great length of time without it, and the reflection from the water can potentially burn you even more. There are limited canoes and Kayaks available so be sure to reserve ahead of time.
• Those with an interest in the various plant and animal species they can see in and around Lake Katherine should read the Center's Field Guide first. People who just want a general simple map of the grounds can find what they are looking for here.
• The parking lot often fills up on busy days so try to get there early to secure a place.