All across the country – from open, rural landscapes to dramatic mountain peaks, desert dunes, island shores, and everything in between – one can find truly spectacular sunsets. Evening’s vibrant and dramatic shows have inspired poets, couples, and adventurers for ages. Now, they now fill our feeds with wanderlust-instilling photos and beckon explorers to new and exciting vantage points. The Prairie State may not be top of mind when most people think of where to find the best sunset views in the country, but we’re pretty proud of them! For an unexpected place to bask in some of Illinois’ prettiest sunset angles, Lake Renwick Nature Preserve has all of the dreamy colors, natural beauty, and peace and quiet you could ask for.
200-acre Lake Renwick in Plainfield, IL is most often known for its heron rookery, and for the several small islands dotting the lake that are used by nesting egrets, herons, and other nesting bird species.
The entire Lake Renwick Preserve is 839 acres and was acquired by the Forest Preserve District of Will County in the late 1980s. The preserve includes three areas: Copley Nature Park, the Heron Rookery Nature Preserve, and Turtle Lake Access.
In addition to the wooded shoreline and lovely trails to explore by day, you'll find tall nesting platforms overlooking the area where hundreds of birds can be seen resting.
On your visit, you're sure to see plenty of the preserve's feathered inhabitants! Dozens of species of birds in all shapes and sizes have been seen flocking to the preserve, including American white pelicans, great egrets, blue herons… even the occasional bald eagle! Songbirds and waterfowl are abundant here as well.
The preserve draws plenty of bird-loving enthusiasts and has been named one of Illinois' best places to birdwatch. Fortunately, you'll find a few spotting scopes along the trails to get a closer look at some of the area's more reclusive wildlife residents.
With so many settings to explore and choose from, every slice of the preserve offers countless places to watch the sun make its colorful descent. Varied habitat areas, including wetlands as well as grassy and wooded areas, also make Lake Renwick a fantastic place to watch the seasons change and experience how the skies light up differently throughout the year.
Since Lake Renwick is open daily until sundown during its visitor season, you'll have plenty of opportunities to catch that post-worthy photo, enjoy the sounds of nature tucking in for the evening, and enjoy all of the beauty that makes living in Illinois so special.
Please note that while Lake Renwick Nature Preserve is open year-round, the rookery area is closed except for guided tours during nesting season. Keep an eye on the Lake Renwick Nature Preserve Facebook page for updates and hours.
We’re so lucky to have so many nature preserves in our state and so much diverse natural beauty to explore! Where’s your favorite place to enjoy a sunset in Illinois?
