This is the actual remnants of the Nike Missile site at Wolf Lake. The walk back takes time and is a bit rugged, but it was worth it for me. There is also the lake to enjoy when youre done exploring.

This is the actual location of the missile silos. The other listing is a restored missile on display near the entrance of the park/preserve. Its a fair hike to get back here as the road is closed off very close to the main road, but it is worth it. There isnt a whole heck of a lot to see. Concrete pads with huge steel plates welded/bolted over them. But just to stand in a place with so much historical significance should move you greatly unless youre the type of person who thinks the Kardashians are important.. In which case I pity you. Had the unthinkable ever happened during the cold War, the people of the southeast side of Chicagos first warning likely would have been these missiles, suddenly taking off, seemingly from their own neighborhood, and leaving eerie smoke trails up to the sky. Chilling to think about.

Abandoned military installation open to exploration.

Great place to go off-trail walking or on bikes to enjoy the scenery and Cold War history of the area.

Bit of a hike to get back there. Crazy to think there were actually missiles here at one point in time. Used to defend us in the event of a Soviet air attack in the cold war era. Not much left except some concrete slabs and steel plates.