Plan Your Visit

Parking at Elawa Farm is free. There are three parking areas – two paved lots and one gravel lot.  Please park in any of these three areas. If parking is unavailable, please park on the south side of Middlefork Dr. Please do not park in the restricted parking areas in the adjacent neighborhood – signs are posted.   

Elawa Farm is a cashless facility. We accept debit and credit cards at our Cafe and Market.

Pets are welcome outdoors at Elawa Farm, except in or near animal areas and inside garden fences. Pets are not permitted in the Market, Cafe, Hay Barn, or any indoor facility, with the exception of service animals.

Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and remain with their owners. Please do not leave pets tied up unattended or tie them to tables, signs, or other Farm property.

Elawa Farm is not responsible for pets left unattended. Please clean up after your pet and properly dispose of waste.

Please store bikes in the designated bike racks located in front of the parking area. Bikes are not permitted in the Courtyard. Any bikes left elsewhere on the grounds will be moved to the racks to maintain safe, accessible walkways.

Yes. Our team manages bee hives on-site for pollination and honey production. The hives are located on the south side of the growing space. For your safety, please keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing the hives.

Yes! We welcome professional photography sessions for families, couples, seniors, maternity, and other small groups of up to 8 people in the Elawa Farm Gardens. Large group photography is not permitted, including homecoming, prom, and other school dance groups, as well as large wedding parties whose wedding is not being held at Elawa Farm.

Professional photography sessions require a Photography Permit, which includes a $125 donation to help support the care and maintenance of our historic gardens and grounds. Permits include up to one hour of outdoor photography during approved times, with Mondays and Tuesdays encouraged.

Photography sessions do not reserve exclusive use of the gardens and may be unavailable during private events or other Farm activities. Drones, smoke bombs, confetti, glitter, and other props that may damage the property are not permitted.

For more information, visit the Photography Permit Program Page or email info@elawafarm.org.

We are unable to accommodate large group photo sessions, including high school dance groups and large wedding photo shoots not connected to a private event held at Elawa Farm.

Visitors are welcome to purchase food and beverages from our Café or Market when available.

For those wishing to picnic with outside food, a public park with a covered pavilion is located just north of the Elawa Farm parking area. Please visit the webpage of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation for more information about the pavilion. https://www.lfparksandrec.com/

No. Elawa Farm is a non-smoking facility. Smoking, vaping, and the use of all tobacco or nicotine products are prohibited anywhere on the property, including during private events. Guests who wish to smoke or vape must leave the property before doing so. This policy helps maintain a healthy, welcoming environment and protects the farm's historic buildings and natural surroundings.