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County Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Running trail in Lake Forest, Illinois · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of County Forest Preserve yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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.

Scenic

What runners say about County Forest Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (39 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Love this peaceful, calm Preserve for its trails, bike routs and Des Plaines River!”

It’s great to spend time with a loved one. There are places to go for a walk, if there are benches, gazebos where you can sit. Playground

★★★★★ — Z , Jun 2025

Hello everyone! Thank you for reading my reviews. My family discovered a new place for walking and cycling. Very interesting history of this place. I recommend this place for walking with a dog and for fishing.

★★★★★ — Roman , Dec 2024

This part of the trail is definitely one of our top picks for go and take a walk because of the views, there are several signs that indicates in which circuit/loop/trail are you in… I strongly recommend that you walk to the north-east of the trial, views, lakes are just so nice, you will find a nice spot pretty much…

★★★★★ — Cesar , Dec 2021

One of my favorite places for hiking & biking in south Lake County! Pleanty of trails and plenty of peace

★★★★★ — Timeric , Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 39 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 4 mentions

More trails like this →

Plan your run at County Forest Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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.

Where to find County Forest Preserve

Lake Forest, Illinois

Get directions

Running trails near Lake Forest

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

Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 605 reviews

Mettawa, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded reserve sprawling 750 acres, with a lake for fishing & trails for hiking, biking & riding.

under a mile away

Half Day Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 770 reviews

Vernon Hills, IL

MixedScenic

Scenic preserve featuring picnic shelters, pond fishing & areas for viewing migratory songbirds.

under a mile away

Castle Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 76 reviews

Vernon Hills, IL

Scenic

1.7 miles away

Deerpath Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 540 reviews

Vernon Hills, IL

PavedShadedScenic

Big park featuring fishing lakes, sports fields/courts, 3 playgrounds, a biking path & picnic space.

1.8 miles away

MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve

5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Libertyville, IL

2.0 miles away

Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area Welcome Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Deerfield, IL

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Lake Forest, 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.