Home › Illinois › Crystal Lake › Butternut Preserve
Butternut Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · Running trail in Crystal Lake, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Butternut 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.
What runners say about Butternut Preserve
The butternut preserve is a neatly situated park with forest and paths. There is a unique very steep, and tall but small and round mound of land in the middle of the park. This alone warrants a visit DS
Great little trail we were able to fit the side by side stroller down. The bridges were safe enough for my toddler to explore but not tumble in! Small gravel parking lot.
Hidden gem in town, quiet and nicely maintained. Not big but a good place to take a little walk with your dog. No facilities besides some benches.
Well maintained and easy to walk preserve with nice water features. Foraging finds throughout the seasons.
Trail conditions & character
“There is a unique very steep, and tall but small and round mound of land in the middle of the park.”
“Great little trail we were able to fit the side by side stroller down.”
Plan your run at Butternut Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitecrystallakeparks.org
- Phone+1 815-459-0680
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–9 pm |
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