Why Spring Valley?
3 miles of easy, handicapped-accessible trails, a fully equipped nature center for kids, a living history farm mimicking how Illinois was in 1800s and a one-of-a-kind nature inspired Bison’s Bluff playground for younglings with water activities. All this for a free admission, with the exception of Bison’s Bluff.

Bison’s Bluff Splash Pad was a big hit for small kids (2-8)

How to Plan your visit?

•  Hop in a car and set your GPS here. It took us about 35 minutes from Naperville area. You could spent around 2-4 hours here depending upon the appetite.

•  Check out the official Spring Valley portal for any recent updates.

•  Choose your hikes among below. The hikes are flat and short, perfect for little kids or the elderlies.

• Run through this indispensable outdoor backpack checklist.

Tip: Please don’t forget bug sprays. 

Photolog

There were a few picnic shelter areas at the entrance.

We headed over to Bison’s Bluff nature playground area after a quick bite.

Bison’s Bluff had 3$ of entry fee which was totally worth it (only for kids 2-12, adults go in free).

Everything in there was tailor made for the kids – tiny trails, natural bluffs, splash pads, bridges and what not.

There were couple of these natural splash pads which were a huge summer hit for the younglings.

Soon after, we headed over to the trails.

The hikes are mostly without shade so plan a cooler day. They beautifully depict the ancient Illinois landscape with vast prairie grasslands, forests, marshes and streams.

Kids loved the StoryWalk theme – where you follow along a story on the trail.

There were several detours to restrict or prolong your hike. I navigated via AllTrails app, a must-have for every hike.

Finally, the Vera Meineke nature center for kids boasted of several plants and animals exhibits, living turtle area and other kids activities.

One of many nature-based activities for kids

Overall, would highly recommend Spring Valley refuse for families with young kids!

Interested in other outdoor activities for young kids? Check here.

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