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Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway
4.8 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · Running trail in Wadsworth, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway'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.
Scenic gravel route, featuring a lake, popular for hiking, biking and running.
What runners say about Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway
“The gravel path is pretty well maintained, but after heavy rains we encountered some channels and grooves in the gravel.”
“A nice big, beautiful, well-mantained loop around the lake!”
“Lovely trails along the Sterling Lake shore, clearly marked mileage and signs.”
A nice big, beautiful, well-mantained loop around the lake! Perfect for getting in a good hike and for seeing wildlife, open sky, wildflowers and more. Trail is very accessible and well-marked.
Well groomed gravel bike and hiking paths. Not uncommon to see equestrian traffic while out on these trails. Total mileage if you take both the Blue and Yellow loops is 5 miles. There are plenty of bathrooms available to to use, green spaces and a playground with nearby pavilions close to the Yellow Loop trail.
Nice place to get out and walk. It's as long or as short as you need it to be. Not a really technical trail, but nice for a little exercise. Watch out for horses!
Scenic, beautiful trail! Tried to park near Sterling Lake coming off Russel Road, but couldn’t get to the parking lot. Just a half mile walk to join the Lake loop from that lot with an easy flat walk. Will try from 173 next time, definitely going to return.
Trail conditions & character
“The gravel path is pretty well maintained, but after heavy rains we encountered some channels and grooves in the gravel.”
“A nice big, beautiful, well-mantained loop around the lake!”
“This is where the 0 marker is, and I ended up in Independence Grove.”
“There are plenty of bathrooms available to to use, green spaces and a playground with nearby pavilions close to the Yellow Loop trail.”
“It could use maybe a few more garbage cans and a couple drinking fountains.”
Plan your run at Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- 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 trailheadwater — reported by runners
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone+1 847-367-6640
Running trails near Wadsworth
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 993 reviews
Serene, lakeside park with hiking, cycling, horseback & cross-country ski trails, plus boat launch.
Sterling Lake
4.7 ★★★★★ 87 reviews
Popular lake surrounded by a park with trails, fishing and wildlife viewing.
Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 183 reviews
Tranquil, 2.2-mile nature trail for hiking, dog walking, bird-watching, running and biking, with ponds and wetland views.
Prairie Springs Park
4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews
Hackbarth & Ponderosa Pit Trail System
4.6 ★★★★★ 42 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area featuring trails in a picturesque forest.
