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Secrets of Little Chicago

Welcome to the Willow Hill Lodge Mystery Adventure!

A self-guided outdoor scavenger hunt with secrets, surprises, and stunning views.
Whether you're a guest of Willow Hill Lodge or a Sunday explorer with a Nature Pass, your mystery awaits!

Who Can Play?

  • Overnight Guests: You’ve got all-day, all-stay access to the adventure. Start when you like, finish when you're victorious—or hungry.

  • Sunday Nature Pass Guests: Your adventure window is from 11 AM to 3 PM on Sundays. Last clue must be found before 3 PM!

 

What to Expect

Your journey begins on our scenic trails and winds through hidden clues, unexpected twists, and a whole lot of Old West charm.
Choose from two experiences:

  • The Short Trail: ~45 minutes of fun, perfect for younger sleuths or casual adventurers.

  • Epic and Scenic: Continue on after the short trail to do the full adventure that is 1.5–2 hours, includes a climb up Longview Hill with majestic views—and more clues to uncover!

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The choice is yours… at the halfway point. Choose wisely, detective.

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What to Bring

We’ll supply the clues, the twists, and the mysterious surprises.
You bring:

  • 🥤 Water bottles – Trust us, your future self will thank you.

  • 🍎 Snacks – Solving crimes is hungry work.

  • 🧥 Layers of clothing – Weather in the hills can change faster than a poker hand.

  • 👟 Sturdy walking or hiking shoes – This ain’t a stroll to the general store.

  • 🧠 Your brain – You’ll need it. We checked. We don’t stock extras.

 Important Guidelines

To keep your adventure safe and respectful of our land and wildlife:

  • 🚶‍♀️ Stay on marked trails at all times

  • 🚻 Washrooms are located in the trailer in the parking lot near the shop

  • 🅿️ Park in front of the shop with the round Willow Hill Lodge sign

  • 🚫 Do not enter any buildings, with the exception of the washroom trailer

  • 🐻 Be aware of wildlife (moose, coyotes, bears). Make noise while walking to alert them

  • 👖 Wear good hiking shoes and long pants—this is real trail walking!

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FAQs 

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  • ⏱️ How long does it take?
    Everyone starts with the shorter trail—like an appetizer before the main course. At the end of it, you’ll face a choice: call it a day or climb a hill and uncover more mystery (and possibly lose a sock). The whole thing takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how ambitious (or snack-deprived) you’re feeling.

  • 👯 Who can come?
    Each pass is good for 1–4 clever humans. Got a bigger posse? Just grab more passes or give us a holler for a private group booking. We love a crowd—but not a stampede.

  • 🧠 How hard is it to solve?
    Let’s call it moderately mysterious. You’ll need some brainpower, some legwork, and maybe a good ol’ lucky guess. It’s challenging enough to make you feel smart, but not so hard you'll throw your clue card into the woods. We've got some cheat sheets if you need help.

  • ♿ Is it suitable for people with limited mobility?
    Sadly, this one’s not wheelchair-friendly or great for folks with mobility limitations. There's uneven ground, trail walking, and a hill that will definitely remind you of your calves.

  • 👖 What should I wear?
    Good walking or hiking shoes, long pants, and something that says “I’m here to solve a mystery, not get a tick bite.” Layers are your friend.

  • 🐾 Can I bring my dog?
    Yes! If they’re on a leash and down for sniffing out clues (or just sniffing bushes), they’re welcome on the trail.     Sunday Nature Pass folks: Leashed pups are allowed. Overnight guests: Your registered doggos are welcome to join the sleuthing too.

  • 📆 Can I do the adventure on days other than Sunday? Overnight guests: Feel free to play detective any time during your stay. Sunday explorers (Nature Pass holders): Your time to shine is Sundays between 11 AM and 3 PM. Want to make a large private group booking another day? Just contact us and we’ll rustle something up for your teambuilding event.

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