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Busse Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,482 Google reviews · Running trail in Rolling Meadows, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Busse Woods' 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.
Lakeside forest retreat offering an elk habitat, a biking trail, boat rentals & large picnic groves.
What runners say about Busse Woods
“A wide, well-kept area that is great for picnics, outdoor events, walking, running, biking, bird watching and boating, etc.”
“2 mile bike ride - a little bit of sun, a little bit of shade, and some beautiful water views.”
“One of my favorite places for running and biking.”
“2 mile bike ride - a little bit of sun, a little bit of shade, and some beautiful water views.”
“The bouncy houses are clean and super fun for all ages.”
Great place for walking,fishing,biking, or running. The paths are long and paved. There are many restroom facilities and garbage receptacles close by. They also have kayaks for rent and a boat launch/water craft launch. One of my favorite places to bike, hike or kayak.
Busse Woods, or Busse Lake as we know it, offers a variety of activities, ranging from some, natural relaxation, to kayaking and fishing, areas for walking/jogging,/cycling, picnic, BBQ, etc. But we go there mainly for kayaking and, as of late, fishing.
I love the paved loop trail (red on the map) at Busse! It's a great 7.2 mile bike ride - a little bit of sun, a little bit of shade, and some beautiful water views. I've been biking there for years and the trail has always been well maintained.
A wide, well-kept area that is great for picnics, outdoor events, walking, running, biking, bird watching and boating, etc. Ample parking spaces. It's a flat terrain with lakes and some walking trails are shaded. There is a walk way bridge connecting to the Elk preserve.
Trail conditions & character
“The main loop is a little under 8 miles with amazing views and changing scenery, especially now with the Fall leaves.”
“You usually have to use the porta potty and I prefer to be able to wash my hands.”
“The Preserve is one of the most popular in Chicagoland, so on a nice weekend day the parking lots fill up fast and the trail becomes busy, so I recommend getting here early.”
“The 7+ mile paved loop goes through woods, over a few water features, and has pedestrian bridges over every road crossing, so you don't have to worry about vehicular traffic.”
“The 7+ mile paved loop goes through woods, over a few water features, and has pedestrian bridges over every road crossing, so you don't have to worry about vehicular traffic.”
“2 mile bike ride - a little bit of sun, a little bit of shade, and some beautiful water views.”
Plan your run at Busse Woods
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitefpdcc.com
- Phone+1 800-870-3666
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Rolling Meadows
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Busse Forest Central
4.7 ★★★★★ 116 reviews
Preserve with paved trails for biking, hiking and strolling, plus areas for boaters.
Busse Forest-West
4.8 ★★★★★ 123 reviews
Picnic areas, trails, and opportunities for biking, jogging, and kayaking in a forest preserve.
Busse Woods Picnic Grove 30
4.9 ★★★★★ 15 reviews
Busse Forest-South
4.6 ★★★★★ 81 reviews
Nature preserve offering picnic tables and trails, plus a public restroom.
Busse Forest Elk Pasture
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,067 reviews
Popular park offering wooded trails for hiking & biking, plus an enclosed pasture with elk.
Kingsbridge Arboretum
4.9 ★★★★★ 8 reviews