Home › Illinois › Barrington › Baker's Lake Nature Preserve
Baker's Lake Nature Preserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 127 Google reviews · Running trail in Barrington, Illinois · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Baker's Lake Nature Preserve'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.
This 330-acre wildlife refuge features prime birdwatching, a heron rookery & trails.
What runners say about Baker's Lake Nature Preserve
“Large variety of birds nesting, beautiful wild flowers.”
“It's very peaceful I suggest if you have a dog walk the dog around your dog will enjoy the Tranquility also”
Beautiful place !! To walk your cats and all. Visit if you like nature.
Really quiet place with a beautiful prarie. The trail gets a little rough as you get closer to the lake. I preferred the trail near the prarie better.
We very much appreciate this spot. It's very small, a parking lot really with a path running along the southern perimeter of its pond. Unassuming I would say. On display at varying times of the year are pelicans, gulls, terns, clouds of egrets and a great many cormorants as it is an officially designated cormorant…
Nice path with parts that run along Bakers Lake. Path could use some clean up to remove over growth. Otherwise nice nature walk with the kids.
Trail conditions & character
“It's very small, a parking lot really with a path running along the southern perimeter of its pond.”
“Very pretty took my pet there, the bridge is not so pet friendly I had to carry them over it but other than that it was nice.”
“Bald eagles sometimes show up and there is an osprey nesting platform within easy binocular view.”
“It's very peaceful I suggest if you have a dog walk the dog around your dog will enjoy the Tranquility also”
“Be aware that there is a parking lot but no bathroom or enclosed spaces.”
Plan your run at Baker's Lake Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- 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 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.
- Websitefpdcc.com
- Phone+1 800-870-3666
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–6 pm |
Running trails near Barrington
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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