Boot Lake Nature Preserve

Me and my kids hit these trails and we enjoyed it all!! Great views and always appreciate mother nature!

The Boot Lake Nature Preserve is a truly lovely 300 acre combined habitat preserve featuring forest, prairie, wetland, and Boot Lake—a small lake that attracts waterfowl.

It is not so isolated that it is a burden to visit but it it far enough from the urban environment to make it a very different experience than even the best city parks.

Our visit was mid-autumn and we were lucky enough to encounter a group of 50-100 sandhill cranes flying overhead and gathering in the shallows of Boot Lake.

The preserve offers two observation platforms, one that extends into boot lake providing an excellent view with about 270° of visibility. The other is located at the edge of the lake but set back from it. It is more elevated and the view over the adjacent prairie habitat is very good. The lake is obscured by trees, but the other platform makes up for that.

There is no fee to enter, and when we went (during the week, with non-ideal weather) we saw only two other people. The trails are well maintained and an easy hike. There is an accessible trail as well.

Highly recommended for birding, wildlife observation, the native plants, and fitness walking. There was a posted warning about ticks, so keep that in mind during the summer months. It suggests sticking to the center of the trails, and they are generally wide enough for this to be sensible advice. Of course, check yourself (and companions) after hiking.

Love the sounds of the birds chirping high in the trees the moment you exit your vehicle. Boot Lake has been a staple hiking location for half of my life and it's been a beautifully scenic journey the entire time. Years ago the lake was full and came up all the way to the pier while the trails were more maintained by foot traffic. These days the lake has gone down to mostly a puddle in the middle and the trails have been thoroughly maintained by a dedicated team of hardworking people. Perfect place to go for bird watching, hiking, getting creative, Pokemon go, or just a good ole fashion reset.

Loved walking the trails and how well maintained they were.

Great place for a peaceful nature walk! Good amount of optional sixe trails off the main walks. Many "through the woods" trails with shade. Pretty easy trails not many hills or obstacles, so hardcore hikers will breeze through and may be bored. But for just a fun leisure walk with the family or for some peace of mind, this is a treasure.

Awesome trail for a beautiful nature walk. At this point in time there is no fee to walk this trail and there is a super clean bathroom at the parking area. Dogs are allowed on a least.

Liked: The dock out into the lake and the super nice groomed and mowed trails in the meadow and the forest.

Disliked: Most of the trail you couldn't see the Lake

I love this place with all my heart. I have many good memories here. It's sad to see that the water has dried up to a marsh, making the wonderful pier a bit funny looking, but I still really enjoyed my last visit.

The upgraded fancy bathrooms and waste baskets were nice to see. As were the freshly beaten paths.

You don't need a map here as it's all one big circle with very distinct landmarks strewn about.

It's really great to come here in the fall when the leaves change.

Wonderful walk of half a mile to a mile and a half dependingonthe trail. The trails goes around a couple of small lakes, woods and a meadow.

A place I enjoy going to.

Nice quiet. Peaceful place . Beautiful scenery! Off the beaten path, hiking as well as walking.🌻

Great place with nature scenes and too good for hiking . Just love it

My first trip to this place and far from my last! So peaceful and lots of birds. Loved the Sandhills cranes!

What a hidden gem of a trail system and lake. Beautiful year-round... Even in March, with flocks of Blue Heron, this lake is alive. The woods are refreshing and quiet and relaxing.

Long walk through woods and Prairie. Recommend a map or phone to find your way around.

Outstanding place to hike. So much nature.

Absolutely beautiful. Very clean. Very quiet

Was ah new experience with Trisha so it was ah great thing we got 2💕 do it together!

A nice place to go for a walk. Which, honestly, is really all you can ask of a little county park.

The paths are well maintained, with a nice observation platform sticking out onto the water. Many species of birds in the woods and on the water. Great place for trail running.

A beautiful area with easy, well-maintained trails.