Home › Illinois › Richmond › Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve
Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 74 Google reviews · Running trail in Richmond, Illinois · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 1.7 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Elizabeth Lake Nature 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.
Diverse wetland area with trails open for hiking and running.
What runners say about Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve
“Right next to lake Elizabeth and the path is well kept and nice and wide.”
“A beautiful natural area of prairie, ferns and other natural communities.”
“Very peaceful area to observe nature and nice mowed paths around the preserve.”
The path can be waterlogged in spots, but this preserve is worth some wet shoes! Enjoy ambling out and back on the verdant path through woods and open fields, by the namesake lake. Well worth a visit, but keep in mind there's no toilet onsite.
Very cool and nice place for a walk . Beautiful ecological site and part of McHenry reserves. I loved it
Wetlands and prairie amongst us . Quiet 100+ acre park with 1.7 miles of hiking and walking trails . A few observation areas to stop and just take it all in . Very peaceful, very scenic. Nice place to disconnect for awhile
Not a bad little trail system. Mostly prairie and wetland with very little trees so bring a hat. The trails themselves are almost flat enough to be wheelchair accessible. Great bird watching. Pretty easy hike.
Trail conditions & character
“A beautiful natural area of prairie, ferns and other natural communities.”
“Very peaceful area to observe nature and nice mowed paths around the preserve.”
“The trails themselves are almost flat enough to be wheelchair accessible.”
Plan your run at Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- Distance1.7 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.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemccdistrict.org
- Phone(815) 338-6223
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Richmond
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
North Branch Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 77 reviews
Open sunrise to sunset, this 521-acre natural area offers hiking, horseback riding, biking, camping, and wildlife-watching.
Gander Mountain Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 112 reviews
Rolling-hill park featuring steep hikes and wildflowers, plus a ski resort.
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 403 reviews
Park with a lake offering swimming and boat launches, as well as hiking trails.
Chain O'Lakes State Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 300 reviews
State park offering a campground, trails, lakes, a playground, and picnicking.