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Afton Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 278 Google reviews · Running trail in DeKalb, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Afton Forest Preserve yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Scenic hiking area full of restored prairies and paths for nature walks, picnics and dog walks.
What runners say about Afton Forest Preserve
“The lookout post is also so well positioned, it is a bit of a walk from the parking lot but the view you get is just beautiful especially when the corn is still growing.”
“Afton is generally pretty quiet and a great place to walk your dog.”
Love this forest preserve. Lots of nice trails, a small lake where you can fish, an overlook, and picnic areas. You will see lots of native prairie plants in the summer. It is a natural habitat, so dogs need to be leashed from late spring through the fall to allow nesting animals a chance to grow up.
The best park in the dekalb area. Plenty of winding trails and a great variety of ecology to admire. The district mows way too much though, and has let honeysuckle, ragweed, and other invasive species to get out of hand.
Afton is a great place to birdwatch, run, bike, or walk/hike. There are benches set up around the park and a lookout point at the north end of the park. Afton is generally pretty quiet and a great place to walk your dog. Afton no longer allows dogs to be off-leash at any time of the year so please respect that rule.
I love visiting this place regularly, good place to go and think. It's full of some of the most beautiful scenery for a preserve close to town :) sometimes I bring my cat for walks, and she loves it too. I always see some sort of creature I wouldn't normally see, like deer and foxes. Nice place for reading
Trail conditions & character
“It's full of some of the most beautiful scenery for a preserve close to town :) sometimes I bring my cat for walks, and she loves it too.”
“I just hiked yesterday for 2 hours with my dog, and despite using a tick repellent spray before we left, I pulled over 30 off my dog when we got home.”
“Afton is generally pretty quiet and a great place to walk your dog.”
“Lots of benches, but bathrooms are limited to basically one area.”
Plan your run at Afton Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitedekalbcounty.org
- Phone(815) 756-6633
- Social Facebook
Running trails near DeKalb
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Merritt Prairie Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 100 reviews
Beautiful hiking area, where dogs are permitted to roam free.
Rotary Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 88 reviews
Fishing, hiking, and walking are popular activities at this park with a native plant area.
Mason Park/Larson Lake
4.8 ★★★★★ 4 reviews
Prairie Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 327 reviews
City park in a scenic riverside setting offering bike & hike trails, disc golf & fishing access.
Welsh Park
4 ★★★★☆ 43 reviews