If you are looking for a family adventure, check out Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake. Not only does this park include a few hikes, like the Blue Trail, but it also features a nature-inspired splash pad and a fun playground. Plus in the winter there is a sledding hill.
The blue trail loops around the lake and is only 0.5 miles. It connects to the playground, splash pad, Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center, and nearby neighborhoods.
Overall Thoughts on Veteran Acres Blue Trail:
Difficulty (Lower is Easier)
Amenities
Transportation & Accessibility:
Crowding:
Views & Wildlife:
Overall Rating:
Difficulty
The blue trail loops around the lake and is only 0.5 miles. It is a boardwalk/packed gravel trail and mostly flat. Making it an easy 0.5-mile walk. In addition, there are also park benches throughout the loop.
Transportation to Veteran Acres
Via Car
It is about an hour and a half or so to get to Veteran Acres from Chicago.
The entrance/parking lot on Walkup opens up to the splash pad, playground, and this blue trail. There is an additional parking lot by the Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center on N Main St.
Via Transportation
Veteran Acres’ parking lot is only 0.7 miles away from the UP-NW Crystal Lake Metra station, and with several neighborhoods nearby, the walk can be done with sidewalks. With that said, the train ride from Ogilvie Transportation Center to Crystal Lake is just over an hour and a half.
If you are planning on spending the day in Crystal Lake be sure to also check out the downtown.
Beauty & Wildlife at Veteran Acres
In the past, this has been a hot spot for photography sessions. Making this park a bit crowded at times, especially at sunset! However, the lake looked a bit greener and more algae-filled this past summer (2023) than in previous years.
We were still pleasantly surprised to see some ducks in the water. And geese with their goslings out and about!
There are beautiful prairie plants and flowers throughout the trail as well.
Know before you go
This park has a lot of amenities including restrooms, a playground, a splash pad, walking trails, tennis quarts, and more!
What to Pack for a trip to Veterans Acres
If your children are hoping to go to the splash pad be sure to bring a towel, swimsuits (for younger children), and a change of clothing.
If you’re going to be here during the lunch hour, why not pack a picnic? There are picnic benches in the park. Or bring a towel/blanket. Just don’t forget your favorite main course and or snacks! And of course, we can’t forget the water bottle.
For anyone, I recommend sunscreen and bug spray!
Going in the winter for the sled hill? Pack warm clothing, snow pants, boots, mittens/gloves, a coat, a hat, and lots of layers. I personally like to make sure I’m wearing 2 pairs of socks! Also towels/blankets in the car to get snow off is super helpful for those type of outings.
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It is a good place to go. I’ve always enjoyed it.