Fountain of Youth, Schiller Park, IL 21502

## Overview The Fountain of Youth is a beloved natural spring located in Schiller Park, within Cook County, Illinois. Drawing water from an underground source, this public spring is fitted with a hand pump that visitors use to fill jugs and bottles. The spring has long been a popular gathering spot for locals who prize the water for its taste and clarity. Some visitors have reported testing the water at home with consumer-grade test kits and finding no detectable contaminants, and the spring has historically been used as a drinking water source by the surrounding community — though no official water quality certification is publicly available, so visitors should use their own discretion. The site is open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no cost. Because of its popularity, the spring can get quite busy on weekends, so visiting on a weekday is advisable for a more relaxed experience. ## Directions 1. From Chicago, head west on **Highway 290 (Eisenhower Expressway)**. 2. Take the third right-hand exit to merge onto **Route 171** heading north. 3. Turn left (west) onto **Highway 19**, also known locally as **Irving Park Road**. 4. After turning onto Irving Park Road, you will soon enter a grassy, open area. 5. Drive for a few miles and watch for a **small path on your left** just before the road enters a wooded section — this path leads to the hand pump. 6. There is ample parking near the trailhead, though spaces may fill up on busy weekends. Park your car and follow the short path on foot to reach the water source. **GPS Coordinates:** 41.952198, −87.843987 **Nearest Address:** 4007 N Pueblo Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 ## What to Expect The spring is accessed via a classic **hand pump** — bring your own containers to fill up. The surrounding area is a pleasant stretch of Cook County greenspace with grass and nearby woods, and visitors generally report that the site is kept clean. The walk from the parking area to the pump is short and easy. Because of the spring's reputation, it draws a steady stream of visitors — especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you prefer a quieter visit, weekday mornings or evenings tend to be much less crowded. There are no fees, gates, or hours restrictions; the spring is accessible around the clock. The area around Schiller Park and the broader Des Plaines River corridor features several parks and forest preserves, making it easy to combine a water run with a walk or bike ride through the local trail system.