Woodhaven Lakes, Lee County, Illinois, USA

Woodhaven Lakes is a private, gated recreational property-owner community near Sublette in Lee County, about two hours west of Chicago. Its 1,756 acres contain woodlands, prairie, seven fishing lakes and 15 miles of trails, creating a landscape built around seasonal outdoor recreation. An EF-2 tornado crossed the property in June 2015, uprooting large trees, damaging recreational vehicles and becoming a defining event in the community’s recent history. Unlike a town, Woodhaven Lakes is organized around privately owned campsites and shared recreational grounds rather than a conventional municipal center. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, organized events and property-owner businesses shape its year-round character.