HomeIllinoisEvanston › Elliott Park

Elliott Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 270 Google reviews · Running trail in Evanston, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Elliott Park'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.

ScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

Park with a lakeside trail, picnic areas, and playground, plus opportunities for biking and jogging.

What runners say about Elliott Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (270 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“The surrounding neighborhood boasts lovely houses with well maintained gardens.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“It's much more vacant and has loads of beautiful headstones”

Awesome park with lots of green space for picnics. Love the trail with amazing views of the lake, beach, trees and the birds. Lots of benches along the trail to rest and enjoy the views. A plus is the playground located at Burnham Shores Park with swings and a sail boat structure that kids enjoy.

★★★★★ — Selma , Aug 2023

It is a beautiful park along the Lake Front. It has green space, a walking bath, sandy beach, and street parking with pay kiosks . The surrounding neighborhood boasts lovely houses with well maintained gardens.

★★★★★ — Pamela , Jun 2024

Nice, beautiful beach. Good for people who play pokemon go. There's people at the park at all times of the day. People walking around, jogging, and biking. My friends and I have been there in the afternoon, evening, night (8 pm), late night (12 am), and early morning (3 am).

★★★★★ — Tom , Aug 2016

Beautiful park with a great view of the lake. Jogging and biking path connects all Evanston and into the north shore and Chicago. Can’t beat it.

★★★★★ — Tony , Jun 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 270 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 15 mentions

“Get there early if you want the picnic area otherwise it is a nice green area of the city with lots of street parking and a view of the lake.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Get there early if you want the picnic area otherwise it is a nice green area of the city with lots of street parking and a view of the lake.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Restrooms are not available in winter time.”

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Plan your run at Elliott Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitecityofevanston.org
  • Phone(847) 448-4311

Hours

Monday 6 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–10 PM
Friday 6 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6 AM–10 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 Elliott Park

Elliot Park, 1138 Lake Shore Blvd, Evanston, IL 60202

Get directions

Running trails near Evanston

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

Burnham Shores Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 298 reviews

Evanston, IL

Scenic

Family-friendly park featuring playgrounds, swings, slides and other play pieces.

under a mile away

Dawes Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 402 reviews

Evanston, IL

Scenic

Relaxing green space with walking trails, a beach and a pond, plus views of Lake Michigan and Northwestern campus.

under a mile away

Arrington Lagoon at Dawes Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 875 reviews

Evanston, IL

Scenic

This park pond features fountains & ducks & turns into an ice-skating rink in the winter.

under a mile away

Garden Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 155 reviews

Evanston, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

City park offering a playground, picnic areas, and walking paths, plus beach access.

under a mile away

Centennial Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 156 reviews

Evanston, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Tree-lined lakefront park including a beach with volleyball courts & tranquil walking paths.

under a mile away

South Boulevard Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 299 reviews

Evanston, IL

Natural surfaceLitScenic

Park featuring a beach and a public restroom, popular for sunrise views.

under a mile away

All running trails in Evanston, 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.