Independence Grove

Hiking trails, park for kids, beer for parents, boats to rent and beach fire pits ...this place has it all!

Such a great vibe! Went for the happy hour and discovered the music along with great relaxing atmosphere. They have a line up for every night of the week. We will be returning soon when the weather warms up for all entertainment and great beers they have to offer at the beer garden. Would def recommend



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Terrible, terrible, customer service. It took 3 days to get a person to return a telephone call just to inquire if the venue was available. Not customer service orientated at all for a service business. Moreover, when I phoned management to voice my disappointment all I received was excuses as to why my numerous email and voicemail messages went unanswered. I would not trust this organization with any type of even as they appear totally disorganized and blamed the "supply chain" for not returning phone calls - they could at least provide better for excuses!

My advice - book another venue as I did.

This park is probably the best hidden gem around when it comes to enormous preserve areas with lakes, rivers, recreation facilities, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Surprisingly, despite having one of the most beautiful and well-maintained places around -- many Lake County residents don't even know this place exists (Century Park is another great place in nearby Vernon Hills). This is practically the Morton Arboretum but in Lake County (with free parking for residents) and has amazing common areas with a plaza area that's uncommonly large for a park. If you live anywhere near here, this is a must visit place to enjoy beautiful scenery.

Their website lists activities such as:
Banquets/Weddings/Meetings
Biking
Boating
Canoeing/Kayaking
Dog Park
Exhibits
Fishing
Hiking
Ice Fishing
Ice Skating
Picnic Shelter Rental
Summer Camps
Swimming
In-line Skating
Cross-Country Skiing

And amenities such as:
Picnic Tables
Fireplace
Flush Toilets
Playfield
Playground
Heated Restrooms
Sand Volleyball Court
Fishing Pier
Drinking Water
Public Parking
Toilets
Trails
Picnic Shelters

I came here for the first time yesterday. I live in the city so open off leash dog parks that are not cement are hard to find. This dog park is so beautiful and there are about 3 little beaches that your dog can run down and swim inbetween your walk around the trail. The people were nice, the dogs were nice, but bring towels.
The only thing I wish they had was a hose. Your dog is covered in water and dirt by the end so make sure u come prepared. It's so amazing here. Love love love it.

This place is wonderful. It offers shelters you can reserve for picnics. Nice bathrooms with running water. A beach, restaurant, watercraft rental, trails around the lake and access to the des plaines river trail for longer runs, hikes and biking. Canoe launch! It's got it all! They have a gate at the front to charge admission although lake county residents are FREE with ID. I remember when this used to be a rock quarry back in the day. Honestly they really couldn't have done a better job repurposing it.

Irritated beyond belief! My 5 year old son and I drive all the way out here for the summer concert series from Highland Park, a good 20 mile drive. For the first time ever, I decide to bring my little Shih Tzu along because since it's only the two of us coming this time, it'll be easy to bring her. Minutes before the reggae band begins, a park official walks up to me and politely lets me know that no dogs are allowed. I ask if I can just take her back to the car and crack all the windows & sunroof. Answer: the cops will give you a ticket. Then it dawns on me that I have her mesh carrier in the car. I'll put her in it and bring her out to sit on the blanket with me and my son. Perfect idea, I thought. Answer: Not allowed. I'll get a ticket for that too. So as we're walking to the car I see a cop car and ask him why I can't even have her in a mesh carrier. Answer: Independence Grove is one of two forest preserves that's considered a sanctuary, in which case, leaving her in the car with all the windows & sunroof cracked, having her on a leash, and even having her in a mesh carrier is considered a form of abuse to her. Even he was like "yeah, I'm sick of it too; stupid rules every time you turn around." So we make the 20 mile drive home with all the goodies we'd splurged on (grapes, etc...) and as we're leaving I see my 24 year old pulling in. A very pleasant surprise under normal circumstances because I can never get him to go to the weekly concerts with me since he has a life of his own, but there he was at the entrance coming in as I was being forced to leave. I get home and call IP to request a $6 refund for the parking fee and was told that they'd call me back. Never did. When I asked the person on the phone why dogs aren't allowed she says that it's because they can't keep up with all the dogs. I ask her why I can't have a dog in a mesh carrier (dog can't bite/can breathe=no abuse to anyone either way... Answer: it makes it hard for us to keep up with all the dogs.

Like sure, it's sooo hard to keep up with dogs in mesh carriers, as if it's even necessary to "keep up with it" considering the dog would be in a mesh carrie and being carried around by it's person. Hello!? An honest answer would've been nice but dishonesty is what I've come to expect from the types of people who come up with such nonsensical rules anyways.

There are so many great dog parks in Lake County, and this is one of the best!! Foresty trails that are shaded and an awesome lake for dog swimming. Good parking.
Buy the year pass so you can visit all the parks cheaper!

Being from California, I thought "dog exercise area" was synonymous with "dog park." Boy, was I wrong. Dog parks are like prison compared to the Independence Grove DEA. The boyfriend and I love taking our dog here as a special treat. She just loves to explore, sniff, poop and mark territory to her heart's content.

A daily parking permit costs $5 but I recommend purchasing an annual pass. The permit is good for any of the dog exercise areas in Lake County. And if you're a good owner, you'll probably take your dog out enough times that the permit pays for itself.

A perfect park for a dog that likes to get in the water, or for a brisk walk. As a place to meet and romp with other dogs, however, this park is less than ideal since it has really only one open area. The day I went it was muddy, but in drier weather I wouldn't think this would be much of an issue. A nice touch is the multiple garbage cans along the trail that encircles the lake, so you dont have to carry your pooch's shame with you for miles. The people a this park seemed less than friendly to me, but I guess I didn't go there to talk to other people either, so I'll cut them a break there.