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Chautauqua Bottoms (Freeman Street Trailhead)

4.7 ★★★★★ 60 Google reviews · Running trail in Carbondale, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Chautauqua Bottoms (Freeman Street Trailhead)'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.

ScenicMile markersQuiet

Nature preserve with trails for walking, jogging, and biking, plus seasonal wildflowers.

What runners say about Chautauqua Bottoms (Freeman Street Trailhead)

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (60 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“It is a beautiful place, however be prepared to check for ticks upon leaving.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“Nice well marked trail and it's a very easy trail”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Green Earth does a wonderful job maintaining the trail, and it's such a peaceful walk through the woods.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Nice well marked trail and it's a very easy trail”

Great walking trail. Beautiful all year round. The spring flowers are my favorite

★★★★★ — Brianna , Mar 2024

Beautiful trail with a huge praire meadow. Was lucky to spot a Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly She was HUGE. The meadow was full of colors in late August.

★★★★★ — -.- , Aug 2025

This is a great little walking trail. Nice surroundings and a very easy walk. Great for people with mobility issues, children, older folks, etc.

★★★★☆ — Amelia , Dec 2018

This is one of the best kept secrets in Carbondale! Green Earth does a wonderful job maintaining the trail, and it's such a peaceful walk through the woods.

★★★★★ — Rebecca , Apr 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 60 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“It is a beautiful place, however be prepared to check for ticks upon leaving.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Green Earth does a wonderful job maintaining the trail, and it's such a peaceful walk through the woods.”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

“Nice well marked trail and it's a very easy trail”

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Plan your run at Chautauqua Bottoms (Freeman Street Trailhead)

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.
  • Websitegreenearthinc.org
  • Phone+1 618-201-3774
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–7 pm
Tuesday 6 am–7 pm
Wednesday 6 am–7 pm
Thursday 6 am–7 pm
Friday 6 am–7 pm
Saturday 6 am–7 pm
Sunday 6 am–7 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 Chautauqua Bottoms (Freeman Street Trailhead)

2009 W Freeman St, Carbondale, IL 62901

Get directions

Running trails near Carbondale

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

Green Earth Chautauqua Bottoms (David Kenney Trailhead)

4.6 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Carbondale, IL

Crushed gravel

under a mile away

Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 67 reviews

Carbondale, IL

Scenic

Pet-friendly spot with a few short trails winding through the woods, plus an annual pumpkin glow event.

1.7 miles away

Green Earth's - Brush Hill Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

Carbondale, IL

5 miLoopScenic

Natural preserve on the edge of town offering a short, well-maintained trail through a forest.

2.5 miles away

Green Earth's Fernlands Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Carbondale, IL

LoopNatural surfaceDog-friendly

2.5 miles away

Cannon Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 361 reviews

Carterville, IL

Dog-friendly

8.7 miles away

Rocky Bluff Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 162 reviews

Makanda, IL

2 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Loop trail with a waterfall, wildflowers, and river views, varying in difficulty from easy to challenging.

9.6 miles away

All running trails in Carbondale, 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.