Nelson Lake Marsh Nature Preserve

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Dick Young Forest Preserve, Batavia, Illinois

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One of the Ski Paths at Nelson Lake Photo - Nelson Lake Marsh Nature Preserve, Batavia, Illinois

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Nelson Lake Ski Trails

by travelswithkids

chicago, Illinois

February 6, 2011

Nelson Lake is about 3 miles west of Batavia on Main Street. The main feature of skiing out here is the big loop around the 40-acre lake. This loop takes under an hour to complete and is around 3 miles. The trip takes you through some frozen ...Read more Nelson Lake is about 3 miles west of Batavia on Main Street. The main feature of skiing out here is the big loop around the 40-acre lake. This loop takes under an hour to complete and is around 3 miles. The trip takes you through some frozen marsh areas and runs alongside some woods on the west side of the lake. Also on the west side, the path connects up with trails running through the prairie section of the preserve. These trails make it easy to add 1, 2, or 3 miles to your skiing, so you can really make a day of it if you have the stamina.

The wintry lake, wetland, and prairie landscape is very relaxing. I saw a few pheasants on a recent ski outing there. During the fall, Nelson Lake has been a stopover for migrating pelican's in recent years. Nelson Lake is definitely out in the countryside, and it is quite peaceful, even though the trails run just a snowball's throw away from the roads in a couple spots. The scenery mostly includes some farm houses in the distance. I usually only see a handful of other people when I ski there, even on weekends, so you don't have to worry about crowds.

The trails aren't groomed or anything. However, enough people go hiking out here that the snow does get pretty trampled down, so you could skate on large parts of it if you wanted. (I know I said I don't see many people here, but apparently it does get a pretty steady use from the condition of the snow after a week or two.)

The trails are mostly very exposed to wind and sun. So there isn't much protection on a cold windy day, and you aren't going through woods for very long. Also, the snow here seems to get mushy and muddy pretty quickly when things start to thaw since it is nearly all in direct sun.

There are two parking lots: one off Nelson Lake Road on the east side of the lake, and one off of Main Street a little further west that gives direct access to the prairie. There are picnic shelters near both parking area.

Summary: I like the big lake loop and being in the countryside. I don't like that the trails don't go through woods so much. Close

From journal Cross Country Ski Spots near I-88 in Suburban Chicago

Nelson Lake Marsh Nature Preserve

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Nelson Lake Ski Trails