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Deerpath Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 540 Google reviews · Running trail in Vernon Hills, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Deerpath Park'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.

PavedShadedScenicRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

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

What runners say about Deerpath Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (540 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 14 mentions

“Deerpath Park is a clean and well maintained park just off the beaten path, nestled between a quaint neighborhood district and the Target complex.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“The park provide nice walking trails with beautiful views.”

🏃 great for running 2 mentions

“It's a great place to let kids run off some energy.”

🌳 shaded & cool 5 mentions

“The park is always clean and well-maintained with great playgrounds for kids, sports fields, and plenty of shaded areas.”

This is an excellent place for any family. The kids play area is amazing. My kids enjoy every minute they spend. The park provide nice walking trails with beautiful views. Tennis courts are available for use. Parking available.

★★★★★ — Rajani , Sep 2019

Extremely well kept series of parks, fields, courts and play areas. This park is an essential part of the community and a huge reason why we live where we do. The Vernon Hills Park District does an amazing job maintaining all their facilities and especially Deerpath Park

★★★★★ — Eric , Apr 2022

A heads up that it is a slight walk from the parking lot but there is a paved path to follow. Could use more shade around on the other benches and even over some of the playground. Overall fun for my 6 and 3 year old. They loved the little zip line and I loved the squishy floor, it's better than wood chips.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Jun 2025

Big kids playground and a separate little kids playground. Bathroom building, shaded picnic tables. Sand volleyball, basketball court. Maintained open fields. Walking paths with dogs allowed. Nice park for you to check out with your kids of all ages

★★★★★ — Tara , Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 540 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.

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 5 mentions

“The park is always clean and well-maintained with great playgrounds for kids, sports fields, and plenty of shaded areas.”

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🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“As far as amenities go, there is also access to a covered picnic area, public restrooms, and parking lot with space for 10ish cars.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“The park provide nice walking trails with beautiful views.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“As far as amenities go, there is also access to a covered picnic area, public restrooms, and parking lot with space for 10ish cars.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“A heads up that it is a slight walk from the parking lot but there is a paved path to follow.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Water fountains and restrooms.”

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Plan your run at Deerpath Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitevhparkdistrict.org

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

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 Deerpath Park

299 Onwentsia Rd, Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Get directions

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.

Castle Park

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Century Park Arboretum

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Little Bear Lake park with fishing, basketball & volleyball courts, a baseball field & a playground.

1.1 miles away

Big Bear Lake

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Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve

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PavedScenicDog-friendly

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

1.8 miles away

Half Day Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 770 reviews

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MixedScenic

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

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Vernon Hills, 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.