Located just 35 miles from downtown Chicago, the trails in Thorn Creek provide hikers with lots of solitude and great scenery. The terrain within the preserve mostly consists of wooded ravines and bottomland forests with small creeks and ponds spread throughout. The are some excellent sections of pine plantations along the trail that provide the best opportunities for birdwatching in the area. The preserve also has a nature center located in an old church building where hikers can stop in and learn about the history and wildlife of the preserve before setting out.