HomeIllinoisGlendale Heights › East Branch Forest Preserve

East Branch Forest Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ 29 Google reviews · Running trail in Glendale Heights, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from East Branch Forest Preserve'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.

2 miScenicDog-friendly

What runners say about East Branch Forest Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (29 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“There are waste stations with plastic bags throught the park so it's easy to keep the park clean.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“This is a beautiful spot for us to walk while our dog runs.”

A great forest preserve, it has more of a "find the trails, and go exploring" feel to it compared to other forest preserves. You're incentivized here to go off the main paved paths. Be prepared with pants and boots, and you may need to pull ticks off of you.

★★★★★ — Joseph , May 2025

OMG I love this park for dogs. This park must have actually been designed by somebody who has dogs that needs to trail run. There's plenty of space for the dogs to get exercise. There's plenty of ponds or lakes for the dogs to go swimming. Everything seem to be well maintained.

★★★★★ — Christine , Aug 2018

Always a joy to watch our dog play with the other dogs. This is a beautiful spot for us to walk while our dog runs.

★★★★☆ — Stephen , Oct 2018

Great rustic trails to explore with your dog. Plenty of water for your dog to swim.

★★★★☆ — David , Jun 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 29 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 30 mentions

“Always a joy to watch our dog play with the other dogs.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“This is a beautiful spot for us to walk while our dog runs.”

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Plan your run at East Branch Forest Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitedupageforest.com
  • Phone(630) 933-7248
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–1:30 PM
Thursday 7 AM–8 PM
Friday 7 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7 AM–8 PM
Sunday 6:15 AM–2:05 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 East Branch Forest Preserve

2N698 Swift Rd, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

Get directions

Running trails near Glendale Heights

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

Churchill Prairie Nature Preserve

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Lombard, IL

Dog-friendly

1.3 miles away

Great Western Trail

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LitScenic

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Churchill Woods

4.5 ★★★★★ 516 reviews

Glen Ellyn, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

This restored prairie habitat features endangered bird species, plus trails for hiking & biking.

1.5 miles away

East Branch Forest Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 509 reviews

Lombard, IL

2 miScenicDog-friendly

This natural resource features 525 acres of wetlands, plus areas for fishing, picnicking & dogs.

1.5 miles away

Terrace View Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 115 reviews

Lombard, IL

2 miNatural surfaceScenic

Scenic park with a playground, benches, swings and slides for children and families.

1.6 miles away

Lake Becerra

4.9 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Glendale Heights, IL

1.7 miles away

All running trails in Glendale Heights, 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.