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Century Park Arboretum
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,024 Google reviews · Running trail in Vernon Hills, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Century Park Arboretum'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.
Little Bear Lake park with fishing, basketball & volleyball courts, a baseball field & a playground.
What runners say about Century Park Arboretum
“A very beautiful park with long walking trails, picturesque landscapes, many places for recreation and entertainment.”
“It's quiet, has a great view and plenty of space for just about anything.”
Love this park!!! I think only locals know this place, as the entrances aren’t on the big road and it is surrounded by apartment/condo/housing complex. This park has almost everything!
It's such a beautiful park and everyone that walks past is so friendly. Dog friendly, great fishing. Watch people play cricket, play pokemon go. Canoe, kayak, boat launch.
Century Park is my go to place for morning walk and run. It has beautiful walking trails along side the Big Bear and Little Bear Lakes. Park also has community garden. I love seeing the sunrise while walking. You get to meet friendly people greeting while walking.
Beautiful area and predominantly nice people, I am lucky to live so close to it. Sledding hill & free ice rink in winter ❄️and turns into a sand volleyball court & basketball court in summer ☀️ Plenty of pavilions that are available to be used. You can pay if you want parties there. Not cheap though... But worth it.
Trail conditions & character
“A very beautiful park with long walking trails, picturesque landscapes, many places for recreation and entertainment.”
“Sledding hill & free ice rink in winter ❄️and turns into a sand volleyball court & basketball court in summer ☀️ Plenty of pavilions that are available to be used.”
“🤑 👍*Kuma's Corner is worth it ❤️ 👎(👍)*Lazy Dog isn't (except for the TV dinners) ❓*Shake Shack I've heard is good, but I don't have $ to be wasting to find out.”
“Also you can bring your kayak or canoe and use the convenient boat ramp that's available right next to the parking lot.”
“It's quiet, has a great view and plenty of space for just about anything.”
Plan your run at Century Park Arboretum
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.
- At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitevhparkdistrict.org
- Phone+1 847-996-6800
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Vernon Hills
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Lake Charles Park
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Deerpath Park
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Big park featuring fishing lakes, sports fields/courts, 3 playgrounds, a biking path & picnic space.
Maurice Noll Park
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MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve
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