HomeIllinoisLombard › East Branch Forest Preserve

East Branch Forest Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 509 Google reviews · Running trail in Lombard, Illinois · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

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

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-friendlyTrailhead parkingQuiet

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

What runners say about East Branch Forest Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (509 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“In the winter time it's tranquil quiet and just played beautiful you won't be disappointed”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Such a great place, a picnic, fishing, walk your dog, or just a walk with beauty, peace & quiet”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 4 mentions

“My dog loves this place and I like that there are walking paths so he won't get overwhelmed with too many doggy friends all at once.”

It's a off lease dog park, approximately 60 acres, no fence 3-4 swimming ponds, more a forest preserve for the dogs. Plenty of room for large to run. It's where I get my peace of mind and my dog gets hers. We love it. There are deer, coyote , American eagle. Watch you smaller dogs. There the bravest.

★★★★★ — Joyce , Mar 2025

Can't say enough about this preserve. Very open, great crushed limestone pathways with lots of smaller natural trails for the dogs to explore. 2 areas for playing near water or in the water.

★★★★★ — Steven , Jun 2024

Place to connect with nature and watch happy dogs run off-leash. Simple yet beautiful scenery all year round.

★★★★★ — Jr , Oct 2023

Such a huge place to walk your dog off leash. There's also a bunch of spots where the dogs can swim!

★★★★★ — John , Nov 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 509 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 38 mentions

“My dog loves this place and I like that there are walking paths so he won't get overwhelmed with too many doggy friends all at once.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“In the winter time it's tranquil quiet and just played beautiful you won't be disappointed”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Such a great place, a picnic, fishing, walk your dog, or just a walk with beauty, peace & quiet”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Parking lot is like a rest stop but they usually keep it clean.”

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Plan your run at East Branch Forest Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitedupageforest.org
  • Phone(630) 933-7200
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find East Branch Forest Preserve

1901 Glen Ellyn Rd, Lombard, IL 60148

Get directions

Running trails near Lombard

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

Lake Becerra

4.9 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Glendale Heights, IL

under a mile away

Westlake Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 144 reviews

Bloomingdale, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Park and lake known for its swans and sledding hills.

1.3 miles away

East Branch Forest Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ 29 reviews

Glendale Heights, IL

2 miScenicDog-friendly

1.5 miles away

Siems Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 64 reviews

Glendale Heights, IL

LoopPavedDog-friendly

Park featuring a playground and fields for soccer and other games, plus a basketball court and a path for jogging and biking.

1.7 miles away

Army Trail Nature Center

4.5 ★★★★★ 90 reviews

Addison, IL

Relaxing little park featuring a calm pond, chip pathways and a wooden pier.

2.0 miles away

Spring Creek Reservior Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 165 reviews

Bloomingdale, IL

175 miLoopPavedScenic

Sprawling park featuring a paved loop trail for running and biking, plus picnic tables and restrooms.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Lombard, 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.