HomeIllinoisNiles › Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,135 Google reviews · Running trail in Niles, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Bunker Hill Forest 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.

MixedHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Forest preserve with prairie & groves offering hiking & biking paths plus scattered picnic tables.

What runners say about Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,135 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Also, their restroom facilitates were both OPEN and CLEAN (unlike many of Chicago's right now).”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“There’s a beautiful bike trail that runs from Superdawg all the way to the botanical gardens.”

Had visited Grove 7 near Hart Rd. Place was clean and ready for the event. We had a large opening for kids to use up and a bathroom nearby. Some other groves, you do have to walk. Definitely would reserve the same place again. Thanks FP.

★★★★★ — Grouch , Jun 2025

When you need a tree to lean on or cry on go to Bunker Hill Forest. You'll be in awe, feeling hopeful and frightened when you realize that you too are like the forest; changing, diminishing, dying, falling apart ever so gracefully.

★★★★★ — Senad , May 2024

A very nice place for family walk, picnic, taking your dog for a walk, bicycling, jogging, running and other small group events. We went on twinter time, so mo green beauty, but summer shall be full of greenery. You can trails of deers and other animals. A great place for kidsbto learn about the nature too.

★★★★★ — Nitin , Apr 2024

If you're a nature lover then take an off-shoot trail down to the river. Even though it's muddy in the fall, you get to see so much more and avoid all the loud, aggro, and possessive folks who are attracted to pavement instead of Earth.

★★★★☆ — Anais , Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,135 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“The path runs for miles through forest preserve, but ar Bunker Hill you can also find picnik tables, restrooms and grounds to have small gatherings, play games, etc.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“The path runs for miles through forest preserve, but ar Bunker Hill you can also find picnik tables, restrooms and grounds to have small gatherings, play games, etc.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“You can ride a bike you can walk you can make some food you can play game with your friends ✔ easy and free parking ✔ one world "great ✔ I added too many photos.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Even though it's muddy in the fall, you get to see so much more and avoid all the loud, aggro, and possessive folks who are attracted to pavement instead of Earth.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to 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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitefpdcc.com
  • Phone(800) 870-3666

Hours

Monday 7 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–8 PM
Thursday 7 AM–8 PM
Friday 7 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7 AM–8 PM
Sunday 7 AM–8 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

W Harts Rd, Niles, IL 60714

Get directions

Running trails near Niles

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Caldwell Woods (Forest Preserves of Cook County)

4.7 ★★★★★ 176 reviews

Chicago, IL

Scenic

Cook County park offering a trail for walking and biking, plus a picnic area.

under a mile away

Sidney Yates Flatwoods

4.6 ★★★★★ 176 reviews

Chicago, IL

PavedScenic

Peaceful, leafy nature preserve along a river, with unpaved walking trails & local wildlife.

under a mile away

Brooks (Oscar) Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

Chicago, IL

PavedDog-friendly

This site features a rec center with fitness programs, horseshoe pits, tennis courts & ball fields.

under a mile away

Forest Preserves of Cook County

4.7 ★★★★★ 56 reviews

Niles, IL

Scenic

1.2 miles away

Norwood Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 121 reviews

Chicago, IL

Dog-friendly

Neighborhood park with a pool, playground, dog park, rollerblading skate park, and athletic facilities.

1.4 miles away

St. Paul Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 147 reviews

Morton Grove, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Verdant space ideal for picnics and drives features plenty of picnic benches, plus deer sightings.

1.6 miles away

All running trails in Niles, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.