About Chicago
Chicago is a vibrant city bursting with culture, history, and entertainment. The town holds a special place in the hearts of many people as one of America's most iconic destinations. It is also renowned for its wild areas, providing a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities. This great city was founded in 1833 by businessman Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, an African-American fur trader from Haiti. He established the first permanent settlement on the Riverbank of Lake Michigan near what is now known as the Chicago Loop.
The Chicago region is also an excellent destination for enjoying natural beauty outside the city limits. There are numerous state parks near the metro area, including Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which provides excellent swimming, camping, and bird-watching opportunities. Other popular wilderness spots include Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve, located near Hodgkins in Cook County, or Starved Rock State Park near Utica, where visitors can explore stunning sandstone canyons and waterfalls formed during glacial periods thousands of years ago. In addition to outdoor recreation opportunities close by, there are plenty more to discover as you venture further into Illinois’ rich landscape filled with prairies, pine groves, and ancient limestone bluffs perfect for exploring on foot or horseback.
There is no shortage of unique places to explore when it comes to experiencing wilderness in or around Chicago! Whether hiking through verdant forests or climbing towering bluffs, there are many opportunities to get out and experience all that Mother Nature has to offer right here at our doorstep!
Wilderness Options in Chicago
- Videography
Videographers in Chicago specialize in filming events in diverse settings, including wilderness locations. These professionals have the experience and equipment necessary to capture the beauty of any setting, whether it is a forest preserve or a national park.
- Catering
Chicago’s catering companies are familiar with preparing and serving food in outdoor settings and remote locations. They provide everything from food service equipment to diverse menu options, including simple snacks and full-course meals.
- Equipment Rentals
Businesses that rent out equipment for outdoor events are a necessary part of every event. They supply event furnishings such as tents, tables, and chairs. These companies also deliver the rentals to the event location, set them up, and offer technical support if needed throughout the function.
Wilderness Vendors in Chicago
- Benjamin Foote Cinema & Photography
Benjamin Foote CP offers professional cinematography and photography, including recording wedding and music videos, capturing portraits, and handling commercial media productions. What started as a hobby in 2005 has blossomed into a full-fledged business venture. Their ultimate goal is to ensure you end up with professional coverage of your event without sacrificing quality.
- Rose Lane Styling
Rose Lane Styling offers various event services, including full-service planning and day-of coordination. Their design services involve working with each client to define the vision and allocate resources in the best way possible to curate the desired occasion. They also provide consultation services and sound advice about vendor selection and decor choices.
- House of Rental
House of Rental provides tents, furnishings, and a wide range of equipment for events. Their expansive catalog of rentals includes tents and canopies, tables and chairs, linens and cooking equipment, and inflatables. Their team of professionals also offers much-needed technical assistance and consultation services.
Pros and Cons of Wilderness Locations in Chicago
Wilderness locations in Chicago are becoming increasingly popular for photographers, filmmakers, models, and content creators. This section will examine the pros and cons of taking photos or filming in remote wilderness areas in Windy City.
Advantages
- Photographers and production companies can find stunning scenery when shooting in wild areas around Chicago. Whether it’s a lake, river, mountain range, or dense forest, the city’s nature has many different settings.
- Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Going into nature is a great way to relax, reset your mind, and unplug from technology for a while.
- Photos and videos taken in wild settings can be highly creative, potentially capturing something truly unique that wouldn’t be possible elsewhere.
Disadvantages
- Often, you'll have to deal with complicated logistics at remote locations before arriving onsite.
- Individuals going into nature should always know their limits and research safety tips before heading out on excursions. Even familiar places can present unexpected dangers, such as animals or loose terrain that could cause injury or harm.
- There can be a lack of basic amenities such as food service or shelter nearby while taking photos in remote areas around Chicago's wildernesses.
Tips on How to Organize Wilderness Locations in Chicago
When organizing a photoshoot or production project in the wilderness of Chicago, there are several things to consider to make it successful. To ensure your shoot goes as planned, here are some tips on managing wilderness locations in Chicago.
- Choose your location wisely: Before you even begin planning your session, choose an appropriate setting with the best lighting and backdrop for your desired look. You can do this by researching different parks or bodies of water near Chicago and scouring Instagram for similar shots taken in the exact location.
- Bring backup supplies: Depending on the type of photoshoot you have planned, you may need extra supplies like tripods, spare batteries, reflectors, etc., so make sure to bring them along with you, just in case!
- Prepare your model/subjects ahead of time: If you plan on having models/subjects involved in your photoshoot, prepare them ahead of time by printing out directions to your chosen location as well as details on what they should wear and bring along with them.
- Schedule with the weather in mind: Keep an eye on the weather forecast closer to the scheduled day and choose a backup date if necessary. Nothing ruins a photoshoot faster than rain or snow!
- Have fun on set: Above all else, don't forget to have fun while shooting! The more relaxed everyone is on set, the better results you'll get from your photo session!
Famous Locations in Chicago
- Riverdale Bend Woods
The panoramic views from the wooded hillsides offer a glimpse of Chicago's skyline, Lake Michigan, and its many recreational facilities. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, Riverdale Bend Woods provides the perfect opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and bird-watching. It is located close to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's 127th Street SEPA station, where water quality improvement measures are taken. The Major Taylor Trail also runs through this area connecting it with nearby Dan Ryan Woods and Whistler Woods - making it a valuable green corridor within the Chicago region.
- Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve
The Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve, situated in north suburban Chicago and surrounded by Lake Michigan on three sides, contains a wide range of flora, and several are over 100 years old. The Preserve is mainly made up of second-growth woods with grassy gaps between the trees. Today, the open areas are dominated by European grasses, but in pre-settlement periods, the territory would have been an open savanna or prairie community. Some of the native plant species include big and little bluestem, cordgrass, prairie dock, Riddell's goldenrod, wild hyacinth, and phlox.
- LaBagh Woods
LaBagh Woods is a beautiful nature preserve located on the Northwest Side of Chicago. It features stunning red oaks, bur oaks, maples, and hickories with various closed canopies and tiny open spaces. The picnic grounds, located throughout much of the park, are wonderful places to relax and enjoy a meal. The red oaks grown on bluffs along the Chicago River are a sight to see, and the white swamp oaks in the far northeast corner of the municipality are also worth checking out.