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Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 605 Google reviews · Running trail in Mettawa, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Captain Daniel Wright Woods 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.
Wooded reserve sprawling 750 acres, with a lake for fishing & trails for hiking, biking & riding.
What runners say about Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve
“Beautiful, well maintained park that’s great for all sorts of trail recreation, from hiking to biking to cross country skiing.”
“Beautiful, well maintained park that’s great for all sorts of trail recreation, from hiking to biking to cross country skiing.”
“The trails are all very well marked, and the preserve is STUNNING in autumn, but I go all year round.”
Beautiful, well maintained park that’s great for all sorts of trail recreation, from hiking to biking to cross country skiing. The trails are all very well marked, and the preserve is STUNNING in autumn, but I go all year round.
I try to make it out here at least once a month from the city. It's definitely a bit of a hike, but worth it. There are a handful of walking trails and a small playground for little ones.
It s nice place to walk and enjoy the nature, it wasn’t easy to reach the entrance as google maps guides me to wrong way through Elm street. The best way to reach the entrance through St Mary street. It s free admission, lots of parking lots. It has playground for kids and many benches to relax and enjoy the scenery.
This has always been a favorite site for us to visit during the Fall season. The foliage here puts on a beautiful show and there's also a path that runs along the Des Plaines River. And, it also connects to the Half Day Forest Preserve. 😉
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful, well maintained park that’s great for all sorts of trail recreation, from hiking to biking to cross country skiing.”
“I noticed over the winter that they had cut down *a lot* of mature trees and when I went back this week, they had a bunch of them piled up by the parking lot.”
“The preserve had plenty of activity going on while we were present including great dog owners.”
“Parking was free, easy and available on a paved surface.”
Plan your run at Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- 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.
- 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.
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone+1 847-367-6640
Running trails near Mettawa
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Half Day Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 770 reviews
Scenic preserve featuring picnic shelters, pond fishing & areas for viewing migratory songbirds.
Deerpath Park
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Big park featuring fishing lakes, sports fields/courts, 3 playgrounds, a biking path & picnic space.
MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
Century Park Arboretum
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,024 reviews
Little Bear Lake park with fishing, basketball & volleyball courts, a baseball field & a playground.