Chain O’ Lakes Fox River Timber Access Historic Military Road

This forgotten military supply road connected Fort Sheridan to lumber operations along the Wisconsin border during the Civil War, when Illinois oak was critical for Union gunboat construction. The route threads between Chain O’ Lakes State Park’s kettle ponds, following high ground through wet prairie and oak savanna that floods seasonally. The original corduroyed sections through Nippersink Marsh still surface after heavy rains, while Fox River crossings at three locations require careful timing with water levels.

Easy to moderate depending on seasonal conditions, passable by stock high-clearance vehicles when dry. Spring flooding can make sections impassable until late May, while fall offers the most reliable access. No permits required for public sections, but several private crossings require landowner permission. You’ll discover remnants of lumber camps and military way stations while experiencing Illinois’ original wetland ecosystem before agricultural drainage changed everything.