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Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 606 Google reviews · Running trail in Riverwoods, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area'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.
Large preserve offers hiking & snowshoeing nature trails with diverse wildlife & a small farm area.
What runners say about Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
“We were also lucky with the weather and enjoyed beautiful colors and a walk around as well as the visitor's center and the exposition there”
“Trails are great, much of it under a lush forest canopy and also along the Des Plaines river.”
“We went later in the day and it wasn’t crowded at all and felt very peaceful.”
Ryerson Woods Conservation Area is always my first choice for a walk. The trails along the river are peaceful and quiet. Every season feels magical here: knee-deep winter snow, colorful fall leaves, lush summer greenery, or bright spring flowers.
It’s a relatively small area, still big though, packed with more than a forest preserve! They have sheep and chickens, as well as rehab fowl. The welcome center is great and interesting - solar power, reused rain water. Trails are great, much of it under a lush forest canopy and also along the Des Plaines river.
Beautiful, peaceful spot to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Lots of nature trails to get lose on. Tons of wildlife and cool plants.
A lovely little forest preserve with enough trails for a nice afternoon out. We were looking for a preserve where we could achieve social distancing, and it was comfortably underpopulated on the weekend, and people (mostly families) passing on trails were respectful of distance.
Trail conditions & character
“We were also lucky with the weather and enjoyed beautiful colors and a walk around as well as the visitor's center and the exposition there”
“We went later in the day and it wasn’t crowded at all and felt very peaceful.”
“Trails are great, much of it under a lush forest canopy and also along the Des Plaines river.”
“Well maintained trails, a decently sized parking lot, and (at the moment) bunches of little wildflowers.”
“We needed to pickup from O’Hare and had a long drive, this made a perfect stop to get out, use a restroom and stretch our legs.”
Plan your run at Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone(847) 968-3320
Running trails near Riverwoods
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area Welcome Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 10 reviews
Jaycee Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 146 reviews
Public park with picnic tables and a playground, plus a separate, fenced-in area for off-leash dogs.
Happy Tails Dog Park - Buffalo Grove
4.2 ★★★★☆ 136 reviews
Spacious area for dogs to socialize and run, often with divided space for smaller dogs.
Woodland Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 97 reviews
Sprawling, well-maintained park featuring playgrounds as well as baseball, basketball and soccer fields.