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Arie Crown Forest
4.4 ★★★★☆ 292 Google reviews · Running trail in Countryside, Illinois · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Arie Crown Forest's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. 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.
Nature preserve with kid-friendly hiking trails, lake views, and picnic areas.
What runners say about Arie Crown Forest
“Very relaxing place to be at any time we like to come here to have our tamales and chanpurado 💘 very clean 👌”
“For my grandkids and I, it was a beautiful place to have our lunch we brought with us, play some frisbee, watch another family flying their kite, and then go exploring afterward.”
“It's absolutely beautiful, an extremely an amazing place beautiful and very peaceful, and can be enjoyed for any occasion,💕 I love it.”
“We walk our dogs here a couple times a week.”
Rare drive-thru forest preserve! Beautiful scenery and foliage during the fall. There are occasional areas where you can stop and park your vehicle to get out and look around. There is a separate hiking trail as well. And there are port-a- pottys too but not too many.
We walk our dogs here a couple times a week. We see lots of wildlife and not many people.
Nice big wooded area. Just moved to the area and went there for the first time the other day. The road takes you in a circle along the preserves and makes for enjoyable ride and site seeing. There's also a pond nearby and some kind of building I believe for visitors to go to near the center.
Almost immediately off the 55 expressway at Lagrange rd. This is a beautiful spot! It is a bit of a drive into the woods but it is a scenic drive with lots of parking at your location. The one downfall; one porta potty is supplied to a grove that supports 100 people.
Trail conditions & character
“For my grandkids and I, it was a beautiful place to have our lunch we brought with us, play some frisbee, watch another family flying their kite, and then go exploring afterward.”
“It is a bit of a drive into the woods but it is a scenic drive with lots of parking at your location.”
“The one downfall; one porta potty is supplied to a grove that supports 100 people.”
“It's absolutely beautiful, an extremely an amazing place beautiful and very peaceful, and can be enjoyed for any occasion,💕 I love it.”
Plan your run at Arie Crown Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — 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.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitefpdcc.com
- Phone(800) 870-3666
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Columbia Woods
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Peaceful, dog-friendly wooded area with a riverbank for anglers, as well as bike trails.