Getting there
Bender Road, south of Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Open sunrise to sunset year-round. Parking, an accessible portable bathroom, and a picnic shelter are listed by the Forest Preserves.
Places to Explore · Illinois
Herons along the shore, cormorants by the water, and small discoveries in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Connected to the river
Big Bend Lake covers 27 acres and connects to the Des Plaines River through a spillway. That connection can bring substantial changes in water level during floods.
My photographs from earlier visits focus on life around the water: a heron standing still at the edge, cormorants spreading their wings, and waterfowl moving across the lake.
Look along the shoreline
The two cormorants make a striking pair on the bank. Elsewhere in this collection, a young night-heron is tucked into leafy branches, while Great Blue Herons appear beside shallow water and tall shoreline plants.
These are moments from past visits, rather than a promise of what will be present on any particular day.
From my photo archive
Eight photographs of birds, shoreline scenes, and a Flower-of-an-hour blossom. Tap a photograph for a larger view.
Keep exploring
Big Bend Lake provides access to the Des Plaines River Trail. The Forest Preserves describes an 11-mile out-and-back route heading south to Dam No. 4 Woods-East, mostly on unpaved trail, through woodland and floodplain forest. That distance is for the full suggested hike—not a loop around this lake.
For a shorter outing, choose an out-and-back distance that suits you and consult the official trail map and current alerts.
Before you go
Bender Road, south of Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Open sunrise to sunset year-round. Parking, an accessible portable bathroom, and a picnic shelter are listed by the Forest Preserves.
Walking, bicycling, fishing, and boating are available. Dogs must be leashed. The launch serves canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats, and boats with electric trolling motors.
Check current conditions before visiting, especially after heavy rain.
Visitor information checked October 2026. Photos are from earlier visits.
Sources & further reading