Located just 60 miles from downtown Chicago, Goose Lake Prairie State Park provides scenic landscape that includes multiple ponds, tallgrass prairies, and marshes that are home to diverse vegetation and abundant wildlife. The northern Tallgrass Trail leads to a historic cabin and observation point. The southern Prairie View Trail leads to a hilltop overlook that provides excellent views of the small ponds and marshes in the surrounding area. The preserve provides excellent birdwatching and wildlife viewing as well as a nature center with exhibits that provide information about the preserve. The trails in the preserve can be combined for one long hike or done separately for shorter trips.