After a 10 mile backpacking hike into the Mt. Evans Wilderness—from Echo Lake—we found a campsite on a cliff overlooking one of the Chicago Lakes (pictured here). We pitched our tent for the evening and hiked down to fish and hang out by the lake. This is such a beautiful place, a tough hike but so rewarding.

Stephen Meszaros

a city skyline with a body of water in front of it

Aerial view of 875 N. Michigan (formerly the John Hancock building) from lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois.

Zander Betterton

Charu Chaturvedi

aerial photo of cityscape beside teal calm body of water at daytime

natasha t

gray and black high-rise buildings beside body of water under gray and white sky at daytime

Shot this just after sunrise on a cloudy day in the city of Big Shoulders.  The wind was calm and the scene was quiet. The city’s yawn before the start to the big day ahead.

Dan Price

Vasilis Karkalas

a group of people walking along a river next to tall buildings

Demure Storyteller

Jacob Li

Lake Michigan is beautiful regardless of seasons. I took this photo on a walk along the lake in the fall.

Chicago lakes